County Commissioner Benjamin Franklin Miller Jr. died at his home Thursday evening after an extended illness. He was 80.
County Mayor Claude Ramsey said, "Commissioner Ben Miller was a fine man and a very conscientious public official. He believed in carefully watching over public spending and making sure that all projects served the county as a whole. He was a strong supporter of economic development. As a long time employee of Dupont, he believed that manufacturing jobs are the backbone of this community and urged that we concentrate our business recruitment efforts toward manufacturing. He was a great asset to this community and he will be missed."
General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon said, "The citizens and especially the poor and the the less fortunate in the Sixth District have lost their
champion. Ben was born in 1923, and his father died six months after his
birth. He never forgot the hard times of the depression and the plight of the poor."
Mr. Miller had been a County Commission member since 1986. He represented District 6.
He was born in Chattanooga on October 4, 1923. He attended East Lake Elementary School, East Lake Jr. High, Central High School, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Ben was an All-State Center for Central High School, and the first Central player to play in the Rose Bowl for the Vols in1945. He went to play professional football with the Chicago All-American Conference, as well as the American Conference in Long Island, NY and Patterson, NJ.
Mr. Miller was a WWII veteran. He returned home from his football career and the army to work at DuPont for 34 years, where he held a management position.
Mr. Miller was a member of the Brainerd Presbyterian EPC Church. Ben was active in the following civic groups: University of Tennessee Letterman's Club, Big Orange Club, Charter President of the Highland Park Lions Club, Charter member of the Highland Park Community Council, Charter President of East Side Jr. High Band Boosters, East Lake Community Council, East Lake Senior Citizens, Chattanooga Historical Association, George C. Hudson Jr. High Twelve Club, Half-Century Club, and past member of the Chattanooga Area Jaycees.
Mr. Miller was a life member of the P.T.A., Charter President of the Ferger Place Historical Association, Past Master of Highland Park Masonic Lodge, F & AM, 734, Chattanooga Scottish Rite, Chattanooga York Rite, Alhambra Shrine, Order of the Eastern Star, and the East Lake Lions Club.
Mr. Miller served as Chairman Pro Tempore of the County Commission in 1988-89 and 2001-02. He served on the Building and Economic Development Committee, Security and Corrections Committee, and Diversity and Equity Committee.
Mr. Miller is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Louise "Lou" Lankford Miller; son, Ben F. Miller, III (wife, Carolyn), Chattanooga; daughter, Sally M. Lassiter, (husband, Bill), Guild, TN; grandchildren, Benjamin F. Miller, IV, (wife, Amy), Louisville, KY; Rebecca Lee Miller, UT, Knoxville; and Fredrick Logan Carmichael, Chattanooga.
The funeral will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Brainerd Presbyterian Church, 1624 Jenkins Road. Rev. Ronald Ragon is pastor.
Burial will follow at National Cemetery.
Visitation at Brainerd Presbyterian Church will be Sunday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Hamilton County Commissioners, Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Highland Park Masonic Lodge, Highland Park Lions Club, East Lake Lions Club, and elected city, county, and state officials.
Memorial contributions can be made to Brainerd Presbyterian Church, Adventa Hospice, or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home.