Hal M. Miller
Hal M. Miller, 81, of Kingsport, passed away Monday, November 21, 2011, following a short illness.
A native of Kingsport, he grew up in the Bloomingdale area and attended Dobyns-Bennett High School. He earned the honors of All-State, All-Southern, and All-American in football. He set the state record in shot put.
After graduating from Dobyns-Bennett in 1948 he attended Georgia Tech University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was All-Southeast Conference Selection for two years, and was a consensus All-American as offensive tackle during his senior year. He co-captained Georgia Tech’s 1952 National Championship Team. This team went on to defeat the University of Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl. In August of 1953, he was voted to play in the College All-Star Game held in Chicago.
Upon graduating from GA Tech, he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. He played one season before joining the army and was stationed at Fort Benning. Despite being asked to return to play for the 49ers after his military service ended, he returned to Kingsport, and begin a long-term career with Tennessee Eastman Company. In 1992, he was inducted into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame. The following year, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, Hal was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the NEC Sports Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, he was honored to be inducted into the Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Hall of Fame.
He worked at Holston Defense as a materials handling supervisor and then in the CE and Tenite Divisions as a personnel representative.
In addition to working with the Boy Scouts and Boys’ Club, he officiated at high school football games. For many years, he devoted his time and energy delivering Meals on Wheels, and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Kingsport. He was a loving father and a devoted and loving husband.
Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Manie Miller; and his brothers, Lynn and Don Miller.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Phyllis Hitchcox Miller; his children, Hal M. Miller, Jr., Robert A. (Sheri) Miller and Suzanne (Robert) Hale; his stepchildren, Mary Ann (Bruce) McLeod and John Alan (Gayle) Miller (Gayle Miller); his grandchildren, Jennifer Hale, Elizabeth Hale, Natalie Hale, Abby Miller and Claire Miller; his step-grandchildren, Cynthia Miller, Sarah Miller, William Cecil McLeod, and John Hal Edward McLeod; his sister-in-law, Beverly Miller, and his nephews, Garrett Miller and Jeff Miller; several aunts, an uncle, and cousins.
Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church of Kingsport on November 26 with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating Interment will be on a later date at Gunnings Cemetery.
Those wishing to give contributions in lieu of flowers may offer a donation to the First Baptist Church of Kingsport, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.
Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an on-line condolence.
Arrangements were made by Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes in Kingsport.
