Don Kent Miller, 85, of Mannington passed away Sunday, August 30, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. Don was born February 4th, 1941 to the late Don and Martha Miller of Fairmont, West Virginia.
Don was a graduate of Randolph Macon Academy in Front Royal Virginia. He also attended West Virginia University where he studied Forestry. Don discovered early on that he was a natural entrepreneur, a truly smart businessman, an avid fisherman and one heck of a blackjack player. He approached both business and the casino floor with the exact same standard: unparalleled focus, calculated risk, and flawless strategy. For decades, he built a highly successful career by masterfully following and reading the economy. He possessed a rare ability to analyze data, spot economic trends ahead of the curve, and make bold moves with absolute confidence. His career started at Westinghouse, where he discovered in less than 1 year that he was destined to follow in his own father’s footsteps to become self-employed.
After he and Judy were married in 1963, they moved to Mannington, WV where they opened The Mannington Discount Store, followed by Miller Root and Fur, then Don Miller and Sons Recycling business, a carpet business as well as an antique and estate business. All these led to his biggest bang yet, the Fireworks business, Don created FireworksWV and continued working that until his passing. These businesses were strategically created by Don as “A Miller Enterprise” to continue his legacy with his family. In each venture, he worked side by side with his wife and his children to ensure they were each set up for success.
Don brought that exact same mental precision to his favorite pastime. To Don, blackjack was never a game of mere luck; it was a beautiful blend of mathematics, patience, and unwavering discipline. He studied the game like a science, tracking the deck with the same eagle eye he used for watching stocks, and adding up large totals in his head. He knew exactly when the odds were in his favor, when to hold, and when to double down, earning him the deep respect of pit bosses, dealers, and fellow players alike. He treated life much like a perfectly executed business plan—mitigating losses, maximizing wins, and always keeping a cool head under pressure.
Don is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 63 years, Judy (Lane) Miller, who was his constant partner in life's great adventure. He leaves behind a proud legacy through his children: Carl (Penny) Miller of Mannington; Freeland (Crystal) Miller of Mannington; and Meredith (John)Winston of Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the deeply loved Pap of Nakell (Bud) Howes of Buckhannon; Alexis (John) Filipeddes of San Francisco; Jace Winston of Raleigh, North Carolina. Great Grandchildren, Haylee Miller, Hudson Miller, and Heston Miller, all of Mannington; Riley Miller of Carolina, Phosten Howes of Buckhannon and Hayden Parker Miller and Benelli Rose “Peaches” Miller, both of Rachel. Brother-In-Laws, Rick, Buck and Rob Lane. Sister-In-Law Millie Nichols, Sharon Atha, and Carol Norman as well as several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind close friends that are more like family, Jimmy Spade, Andrew Plachta, John Marra, Ronnie Herrick. In addition, many business partners throughout West Virginia as well as an extended firework families throughout the world.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by an infant sister, and two grandchildren, Freeland “Bub” Miller of Rachel and Courtney Michelle Miller of Mannington.
While his seat at the end of the table is now empty, the wisdom, financial savvy, and profound love he shared with Judy, his children, his grandchildren, and the state of West Virginia will continue for generations to come. He lived a rich, full life, proving that with the right strategy and a strong mind, you can always beat the odds.
Family and friends may call at Masters Funeral Home, 209 Main St. in Mannington, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, September 3, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Mannington Memorial Park Cemetery.