Larry L. Miller

Larry L. Miller passed away October 28, 2025 at the age of 85. Born on the Goodell farm in Mantua, Larry moved with his family to Rootstown while still a pre-schooler and resided there some 35 years. In 1957, he graduated from Rootstown High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, track, and wrestling. He went on to play baseball and basketball for town, recreational, company, masters, and industrial league teams.

Larry attended Kent State University and Santa Barbara City College while working as a writer for several ad agencies and an academic book publishing company. Included were W.F. Minnick & Associates Advertising in Pittsburgh, where he toiled six years; ABC-Clio in California, where he worked five years as senior copywriter; and Innis Maggiore, in Canton, where he worked five years as continuity editor.

Larry was a widely published author of a range of books, articles, ads, columns, and even poetry, and had several photo spreads published. His media also included magazines and newspapers. In 1990, his photo exhibit, “California Without Humans,” was displayed at Kent State Student Center Gallery. His photos were also exhibited at Kent Free Library and are in several private collections. Indiana University Press published two of Larry’s reference books, Ohio Place-Names and Tennessee Place-Names. In addition, Miller wrote, edited, and published five local history/nostalgia books on Portage and Summit County topics. His last major book project was the expansive A Dictionary of Rivers of the World: Names, Locations, Lengths, and Mouths, an 834-page, two-volume reference work that took him over 12 years (part time) to assemble. It was Published by Edwin Mellen Publishing.

Larry’s parents, Harry J. and Grace V. Miller, preceded him in death, as did his three brothers and two sisters, Norman J. of Florida; Clifford of Virginia, Dean of Hudson, Marjorie (Hart) of Streetsboro, and Lois J. Miller of New Milford. He is survived by his son Brody L. Nickol, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry had a profound respect and love for all animals and campaigned tirelessly for animal rights. He founded the Ohio Human Information Office and was a member of numerous animal rights organizations. He helped the Portage County Animal Protective League through its early stages, first as a shelter worker and later as a volunteer, serving many years in a variety of board offices that included recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and vice president. He also wrote the society’s newsletter for many years and assembled its human education program.

From the PCAPL, he was adopted by “Duchess,” a mixed Airedale who became his constant companion for the next 17 years. She was one of numerous animals who had an abiding effect on Larry’s life and who helped him form his philosophy of empathy with and compassion for all sentient life. In 1968, he became a vegetarian, a lifestyle that endured the remainder of his life. Much later, he (grudgingly) took in a cat waif, “Farrell,” whom he loved and became dependent upon. He could not stand to be apart from her for long.

Larry served on the steering committee for the Ohio Committee to Ban the Leghold Trap and, while residing in Pittsburgh, organized informational picketing demonstrations outside the city’s fur stores. He was a guest on a number of TV and radio programs that addressed animal rights questions. Although the animal rights movement was his consuming passion, with sports an important but distant second, Larry was also happy to have donated 293 units of blood in three states and to have performed lesser-known acts of kindness for persons in need.

His heroes included Capt. Paul Watson, Saint Francis of Assisi, John (“Johnny Appleseed”) Chapman, Hugh McNamee, and Jesus Christ.

In accordance with Larry’s wishes, visitation will be Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 2:00-3:00PM at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240 followed by a funeral service starting at 3:00PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Last Chance for Animals, 8033 Sunset Blvd., Suite 835, Los Angeles, CA 90046, or Animal Place, 17314 McCourtney Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95949.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.