Marion “George” Miller, 92, of Huntsville, passed away February 9, 2023. The oldest of five children, he was born to Alexander Carl and Nellie Susan (Sills) Miller. Although work on the farm was hard, he loved growing up with his siblings, Clarence, Ruth, Grace, and Ralph. George and all his siblings were outstanding athletes, especially in basketball. It served as an escape from their duties on the farm. George graduated from Brooklet High School at 17 in 1947. Following his military service, he continued his studies at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
He was named after the Revolutionary General, Francis Marion. When he joined the Air Force his fellow soldiers told him that he needed to change his name. It was decided he would be called “George” after his home state of Georgia. George enlisted in the Air Force in November 1948. He served in the Air Force from 1948-1958. He was honored to serve and always prayed for the United States.
He was stationed many places but none as life changing as when he was at Brookley Air Force Base near Mobile, Alabama. While attending a social event at the Civilian Recreation Center near base, he met and later married Wilma Jean Nipper. They were married 61 years. The Air Force moved George and Jean throughout the United States and Europe before making Huntsville their home in 1958.
Although nominated for the Air Force Officers Training School, George opted for a career in Huntsville. He began his Huntsville career with Thiokol and NASA. He retired from NASA to begin the final part of his career with McDonnell Douglas working on Skylab. His final retirement was in April 1995.
George volunteered in the early days of Jones Valley Elementary School. He and other dads built the playground and George served as President of the PTA. He is fondly remembered for the years coaching his daughter, Karen, and her teammates on many softball teams at Mayfair Park. These teams often played for the city championship.
George was quite the handyman and preferred doing jobs himself. He and his good friend JD Tapper built a beautiful boat. They enjoyed times on Guntersville Lake. One of his favorite projects was converting his large two car garage to a rec room. He did almost the entire project himself to create a space to be enjoyed by family and friends. Jean and George spent time opening their home to Karen’s friends, loving them as second children.
Mr. Miller was a member of Mayfair Church of Christ for over 50 years. At Mayfair church he participated in serving communion and as an usher. He enjoyed his Sunday school class, The Classics. He especially enjoyed good debates and discussions. He and Jean loved time spent with their dear friends the Savages, Ammons, Hesses, and Sneeds. During his time at Brookdale, he was happy to find a great group of table mates and had good conversation and maybe a trivia game after supper.
Although George hung up his uniform in 1958, he never lost his zeal for the military. He was selected to participate in the 2017 Honor Flight honoring veterans of World War II, The Korean War and the Vietnam War. It was trip he would always treasure.
George was proud to be a native of the state of Georgia. He followed college football and recruiting, especially the Georgia Bulldogs. His other hobby was time spent on the golf course with his chief golf buddy, Bill Sneed.
Above all he cherished his family. He held dearest his daughter, Karen Miller Kimbrough. However, at the very top of those he adored were his grandchildren, Ben Kimbrough (Savina), Thomas Kimbrough, and Anna Katherine Kimbrough Baecher (Austin); and great-grandson, Baylor Allen-George Kimbrough. In addition to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, he is survived by his sister, Ruth Miller Kingery, and many cherished nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander Carl and Nellie, wife, Jean Nipper Miller, his dearly loved son-in-law, Hal Reuben Kimbrough, brothers, Clarence Miller, Ralph Miller, and sister, Grace Miller Jordan.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Brookdale, the Brookdale at Home staff, and Brookdale Physical Therapy.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Huntsville Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Huntsville Inner City Learning Center, 2450 Braham Ave., Huntsville, AL 35805, or Lincoln Village Ministry, 1110 Meridian St., Huntsville, AL 35801.
