Eugene Dale Miller, 77, a native of Dayton, Ohio and a resident of Lillian, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 of complications from COPD at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley.
He was a retired Norfolk Southern Railroad manager.
He grew up in Newark, N.J., where he helped to support his mother and sister while growing up. He was a multi-sport athlete at Newark High School, on the football, basketball and track teams. His sports talent earned him an athletic scholarship at the University of Alabama, running the 440 events for the track and field team. He met his wife, Gwendolyn while they were students at the University and they married in 1950. He graduated in 1953 with a BS in education.
He volunteered for the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was recognized for his volunteer assistance at the Kyom San Orphanage in Seoul.
Following his discharge from the U.S. Army, he taught mathematics and was the head Basketball coach and assistant Football coach for two years at Jackson High School in Jackson, before going to work with Southern Railroad in 1958. He worked in a number of regional divisions including Atlanta, Louisville, Ky., Greenville, S.C., and Danville, Ky.
Since his retirement to Lillian he enjoyed fishing, boating and the laid-back beach life. He contributed a portion of his spare time to the Lillian Volunteer Fire Department, South Baldwin Hospital and as a math tutor to local students.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Gwendolyn Miller; children, Mark Miller of Reston, Va., Tracey Collins of Gulf Breeze, Fla., and Michael Miller of Tuscaloosa; two granddaughters, Mallori and Anna Marie Miller of Atlanta; sister, Joyce Stalling of Newark, Ohio, and extended family in Ohio.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday March 22 at Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13660 Innerarity Point Road, Pensacola, Fla.
The family will receive friends at their home after the service.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the church, or Covenant Hospice, 2001 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL, 32501.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Foley.
