Miller, mother to many aspiring fighters, dies

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001 | 8:48 a.m.

No matter how many big boxing stars worked out at the Golden Gloves Gym, the facility's co-founder Faye Miller always had a soft spot in her heart for the younger, less skilled fighters.

"Faye and Hal Miller were mainstays in amateur boxing practically since it started here -- they were the mothers and fathers to many of the underprivileged kids who came to the gym and they helped make life a little better for them," said Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

"She was a fair and compassionate lady who ran the gym with authority."

Margaret "Faye" Miller, who helped her late husband, Metro Police Lt. Hal Miller, put on Golden Gloves tournaments since 1957 and who ran a gym frequented by such top pros as former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, died Thursday of cancer at Desert Springs Hospital. She was 69.

Services for the Las Vegas resident of 44 years were Sunday at King David Memorial Chapel. Tyson served as a pall bearer.

When Hal Miller died in December 1997, Faye took over the reins of the facility that they had opened in the early 1980s at 1602 Gragson Ave., near Cashman Field. The Golden Gloves Gym gave young local amateurs their first permanent home in which to hone their skills.

Faye Miller long served as secretary-treasurer of both the Golden Gloves of Nevada and USA Boxing-Nevada. Over five decades, several of their local teams won national honors.

Family members have told the athletic commission they plan to continue operation of the gym.

To supplement the gym's income, many top-ranked pro boxers were allowed to train at the facility. Many of them not only shared their wisdom of the fight game with the up-and-comers, but in some cases also paid the dues for the amateurs who could not afford training costs.

The Millers were instrumental in bringing the 1971 National Golden Gloves, the 1972 National AAU men's boxing championships and many other major amateur tournaments to Las Vegas.

Born Nov. 21, 1932, in Shamrock, Texas, Miller came to Las Vegas in 1957. She was a member of Eastern Star and served as secretary-treasurer of the Las Vegas Country Club Homeowners Association.

Miller is survived by five daughters, Marilyn Riseborough of Indianapolis, Janet Miller of Montreal, Karen Peterson of Minnesota and Janice Moody and Debbie Coston, both of Las Vegas; a son, Steven Miller of Las Vegas; eight grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

The family said donations can be made in Faye Miller's memory to the Golden Gloves Gym at its business office, 7209 Lodge Circle, Las Vegas NV 89129.