Col. James V. Miller, USA (Ret.)

Colonel James Vernon Miller, 94, died peacefully with family by his side at Viva Assisted Living on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Family will greet friends at Kimbrell-Stern from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26. A funeral service will take place at 12:00 p.m. at Kimbrell-Stern followed by interment with military honors at Andersonville National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Colonel Miller was born on December 9, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to James Vernon Miller Sr., and Marie Isabell Vizard Miller. He grew up primarily in Pineville, West Virginia where he met the love of his life and wife of 73 years, Frances Anne Browning Miller. Colonel Miller was a graduate of Concord University in Athens, West Virginia and the University of South Carolina. After graduation, he had successful careers as both an educator and army officer. In the army he was an infantry paratrooper, commanded troops from platoon to regiment and served in staff positions. As a civilian, he served at Darton College as chairman of the physical education department and athletic director. He was an esteemed and decorated army officer and respected college educator. Coach Miller, as he was often called, was a beloved scuba and sailing instructor during his time at Darton. Colonel Miller had many avocations throughout his life. At one time, he was a licensed pilot, had a captain’s boat license and was a master scuba diving instructor. With his wife, he owned a cotton farm in Terrell County, Georgia and was an avid deer and quail hunter. For many years he raised and trained bird dogs. He was a gardener and enjoyed raising a variety of vegetables to share with family and friends. Colonel Miller’s greatest passion in life was traveling. For sixty-five years he traveled the entire world. He took his wife and three daughters on trips to Europe, South America, North Africa, and Asia. In his retirement years, his wanderlust continued, and he and his wife traveled the world six months out of the year. He said his love and curiosity for traveling to far and exotic places came as a young child after reading the works of Rudyard Kipling. Colonel Miller was the true definition of a Renaissance man. His innate curiosity and intellect were the driving force behind all his many experiences and accomplishments. He had a bigger than life personality and seldom minced words. He was of the Christian faith. Colonel Miller was a genuine and authentic person, a devoted and dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed beyond measure by family and friends. In his words, he had a full life with few regrets. Colonel Miller was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert Lee Miller. He is survived by his wife Frances Anne Miller, Albany, GA, daughters Martha Anne Miller of Atlanta, GA, Marie Miller Salter (John), Albany, GA, Sara Miller McArthur (John), Athens, GA, grandchildren Meredith Cullen Husack (Mark) of Atlanta, GA, James Charles Salter (Celeste McClung Salter) of Auburn, AL, Caroline McArthur Busbee (Harrison) of Braselton, GA, Nikolai James McArthur, Athens, GA, and three great grandchildren, Fran Phillips Salter, Dollie James Salter of Auburn AL, Emory Grace Busbee, Braselton, GA.

Col. James V. Miller, USA (Ret.)

December 9, 1929 - November 21, 2024