LAWSON – A single-vehicle wreck claimed the life of an Excelsior Springs business owner, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported.

The crash occurred as Daniel “Danny” R. Miller, 52, Lawson, and a friend attempted to drive a 2021 Maverick ATV east and up a hill about 1:35 p.m. Nov. 3. The ATV overturned, ejecting Miller, whom Ray County EMT Terry Caldwell pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol reported.

Miller’s wife, Michelle Miller, 49, said Danny and his friend had been using the ATV to scout property for possible purchase when the wreck occurred. Neither Miller nor the passenger, who escaped injury, wore a seat belt, she said.

Michelle described Danny as “amazing” and a “good guy.”

“He was fun, adventurous and loved life,” she said Monday. “He loved life to the fullest every single day.”

Danny co-owned Miller Custom Cabinets, Excelsior Springs.

“Danny was the real cowboy. His first passion was the love of horses, and that never changed in his life. He was a champion team roper and was known to say, ‘Winning just never gets old.’ Danny was an adrenaline junkie: the ultimate adventure leader. He lived more life in his 52 years than most people could in 152 years. He loved anything with a powerful motor and wheels or four hooves and a mane,” family information stated.

Danny’s older brother, entrepreneur Dean Miller, Excelsior Springs, learned the cabinet trade in California. Danny joined Dean there. Together, they bought all the wood-working material needed, returned to Missouri and in neighboring Ray County started Miller Custom Cabinets in a former church in Knoxville, in 1986, Michelle said.

Michelle and another brother, Kenny Miller, broke into the cabinet business together after high school graduation in 1991. After graduation from Lawson High School, she married Danny in 1993.

“We’ve been building cabinets ever since,” Michelle said.

The year also proved important for the business.

“It just kept developing and we built our first building in 1993,” she said. “We added on to that two or three times and it was his dream to build this building (in Excelsior Springs), so we did. I guess the rest is history.”

Michelle said Dean retired from the business. Kenny and Michelle remain to continue providing cabinets to upscale residences across the metropolitan area. They serve the area with the cabinet company and a second business, Signature Solid Surfaces Inc., opened in 2001 to offer granite countertops. The businesses together employ about 90 people, Michelle said.

In addition to being a businessman, Danny showed concern for others. When the Rockin’ Tiger Club needed a new kitchen playset, he answered.

“We were in need of a new play kitchen set for our program. With everything we all have been through, it was not in our budget to purchase one and most of them are made for pre-school students,” Director Vicky Goetz stated. “I contacted Miller Cabinet to see if they ever do projects like this and possibly donate one to our program. Without any hesitation, they asked me to see a few pictures of what I was thinking and the measurements.”

From there, Miller Cabinets created the playset. Danny helped deliver the playset.

In addition to Michelle, Dean and other family members, Danny leaves behind two daughters, Miranda and Dvynne.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Seller's Performing Arts Center in Lawson, with a funeral following immediately at the same location. A private family burial will take place.