Former Fonner Park CEO Miner Dies at 78

Former Fonner Park CEO Hugh M. Miner Jr. died Oct. 4 at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney, Neb., following a lengthy illness. He was 78.

A graduate of Kearney State College, where he received a business degree, Hugh served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in 1974.

His career at Fonner Park spanned 45 years. First hired as assistant manager, he became the track's executive vice president and CEO in 1982. He retired in 2015.

"He was very business-minded and very professional in the workplace," current Fonner CEO Chris Kotulak told local radio station KGFW. "He had a vision for Fonner Park.

"He did change the face of Fonner Park for what many people knew of it for decades. Certainly the city has a lot to be thankful for with what Hugh has accomplished."

Among Miner's contributions to the track was the creation of the Turf Club seating area as well as the Fonner Keno Casino and Finish Line Restaurant. He also paved the way for the construction of the current racing office and built the general office building, known as the Hugh Miner Jr. Administrative Offices, above the 4-H Café in 1991.

"Hugh was a staunch advocate of Nebraska racing who always placed the best interest of the sport first," said former newspaper and racing industry writer Jeff Apel. "(Miner) kept Nebraska racing afloat during difficult times following the closure of Ak-Sar-Ben."

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. CT, Oct. 14 at All Faiths Funeral Home and services will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 15 in Fonner Park's Bosselman Conference Center. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Livestreaming will be available on Miner's obituary page at www.giallfaiths.com.