George W. Miller, Jr.

George W. Miller, Jr., age 91, died peacefully at his home on December 15, 2021. He was born in Spencer, N.C. to the late George W. Miller and Blanche Iddings Miller. George and his wife of 63 years, Eula Hux Miller, made Durham their home for over 60 years but he never forgot his roots in Rowan County. 

A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill ’54 and the UNC School of Law ‘57, George treasured the lifelong friendships he made at and through Carolina. He was proud to be a Tar Heel and supported the University throughout his life, including service on the Board of Visitors and the General Alumni Association Board of Directors. He was recognized as Alumnus of the Year by the UNC School of Law in 1994.  

George served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean conflict. He practiced law as a partner in the firm of Haywood, Denny and Miller in Durham for 64 years. He was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1987.  He was a consummate workhorse who loved his career as a lawyer as much for the people he met as for the problems he helped them solve. 

Always the optimist, George loved the state of North Carolina. He had a lifelong love for politics despite his father’s warning that “the only thing worse than a lawyer is a politician.”  Leadership was kindled during his time as a student at UNC. He was President of the North Carolina Young Democrats in 1964. In 1967, he learned many life lessons when he served as campaign manager for his dear friend Paul Hardin’s unsuccessful bid for mayor of Durham. He was first elected to the N.C. House of Representatives in 1971. He served continuously until 2000. During his tenure, he served as chair of several committees, including Highway Safety, Insurance, Judiciary, and Finance. His papers are preserved in the Southern Historical Collection at the Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library at UNC. He was recognized with numerous awards for his service and legislation over the years.

George was a member of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church where he enjoyed his perch in the balcony. He loved spending time at the beach, watching Carolina sports, and reminiscing about his childhood in Spencer and his father’s work as a train engineer on the Southern Railway. But most of all he loved his grandchildren. He patiently learned about their careers and activities, attended countless dance recitals, track meets and ceremonies, and was their greatest supporter. He especially loved watching his grandson Ben play sports. He could always be found on the sidelines for Jordan High School football, baseball, and basketball games.

George is survived by his wife Eula Hux Miller, son George W. Miller, III and his wife Kate of Durham, daughter Rose Miller of Atlanta, daughter Anne, and grandchildren Ben, Grace, Eliza, Diana, and Madelyn. George was preceded in death by his sisters Marie Miller, Ruby Sanchez, Georgia Ryan, and his twin sister Doris Ryan.

Plans for services will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the UNC Institute for Marine Sciences (give.unc.edu) or the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer (https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/donation/)

 The Miller family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.