Commissioner David Miller dies at age 64

Lumpkin County lost a leader and a friend on Sunday night with the passing of Lumpkin County Commissioner Dr. David Miller.
Miller, who had been battling an illness, was serving as the District 1 Commissioner, as well as Vice Chairman on The Holly Theater’s Board of Directors. He also worked as a professor of healthcare management in the Brenau University College of Business and Communication.
Bud Stumbaugh, who served with Miller on The Holly Theater Board of Directors said his approachability was one thing that always stuck out.
“He wasn’t a big shot,” Stumbaugh said. “If it’s ever justified, maybe it could have been justified with him because here’s a PhD and not many folks get to run around with the title doctor. He had enough popularity that folks asked him to lead their government and that could’ve been a real ego booster that made him play like a big shot, but he was a servant. He gave out his cell phone number rather than trying to avoid the common questions and suggestions that might be made by others.”
Sean Couch, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Northeast Georgia Health System, echoed the same sentiment.
“David was always the approachable expert,” Couch said. “He had such a great academic mind to see, conceptualize big ideas and big strategies, but it was never intimidating to talk with him. It didn’t matter if he sat on the Lumpkin County Commission, in what many would perceive is a position of power and influence, or if he was walking into Lumpkin County’s loosely held healthcare committee that existed for years, that would meet at 7 a.m. at a random business and were sparsely attended. He brought the same enthusiasm and energy to every conversation. It didn’t matter if you were a state senator or if you were a student in his classroom, he approached every conversation with the same level of energy, enthusiasm, positivity and encouragement.”
Couch said he first met Miller as they went through the Leadership Hall County program at the same time.
“He was just the nicest guy,” he said. “He was one of the first people in the group when we first met that came over and said ‘hello.’ He was so warm and quickly told me about his childhood, growing up in St. Louis and that he was a big St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan...We talked baseball quite a bit.”

AN HONORABLE MAN

Miller was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2016, where he represented Lumpkin’s District 1. Stumbaugh said that Miller’s trustworthiness was part of what made him a great leader in the community.
“I felt like his handshake was worth something,” he said. “...If he said he would do something, then that’s as good as a document that has been certified at the highest level. He just was an honorable fellow.”
The commissioner brought his healthcare background to the board, making a huge impact right away.
“He was a really great asset to our board and to the community,” Commissioner Chairman Chris Dockery said. “He was actively engaged with his experiences in the healthcare profession and teaching at Brenau, he brought a whole new dynamic to our board. He brought a different dynamic and he really did a great job. He served as our local representative on the local board of health. He represented us as a liaison with Northeast Georgia Health Systems. He was always willing to participate.”
In that liaison role, Miller worked closely with Couch on the plans for bringing a new and reliable hospital back to Lumpkin County.
“He was always our biggest advocate,” Couch said. “A warm, smiling face any time we were on site to do anything...he always stayed in touch. He was quick with a text message, words of encouragement when the community was clamoring for us to open the hospital immediately.”
For fellow commissioner Bobby Mayfield, it’s hard to imagine being on the board without Miller.
“David and I took office together and we completed virtually all of our year-long training together to become certified Commissioners,” Mayfield said. “We drove many miles together and talked for hours and hours, from the very first trip we took, I knew that I had found a kindred spirit in David Miller.”
For Commissioner Jeff Moran, Miller was a mentor.
“As the newest Commissioner on the Board, David was quick to take me under his wing where I frequently sought out his advice and mentorship,” Moran said. “Whether driving together to conferences, meeting for breakfast, or a quick cigar before a meeting, David always made himself available.”

SUDDEN LOSS

Miller’s loss was a sudden blow to the community, as the commissioner missed almost no time at all before his passing.
“Dr. Miller was really private about his situation and we certainly respected that at his request and I think that’s the way he wanted it to be,” Dockery said. “He didn’t want a lot of fanfare. He wanted to spend time with his family and he told me he wanted to participate as long as he was able and he certainly did that. He gave it his all which is representative of what kind of person he truly is.”
His passing has left the community heartbroken, especially those who worked closest with him.
“Dr. Miller was one of the most likable people you will ever meet in an entire lifetime,” said fellow Commissioner Rhett Stringer. “It was an honor to work with him and we will miss him terribly.”
“The loss of David Miller is not only devastating to his family and friends but also to everyone in this community,” Moran said. “...He lived a life to be emulated by all and the world dimmed a little with his passing. He will be missed.”
“It’s a sad time for all of us,” Dockery said. “We lost a close friend.”
“I will sorely miss my dear, dear friend David Miller, but I take solace in knowing that someday he will be meeting me at that pearly gate with a big old smile across his face and we will pick up right where we left off,” Mayfield said.
As for the board, the commissioner’s spot will be filled via special election.
“There will be a special election at a later date to fill the rest of his term,” Dockery said. “I don’t know the details of that yet. We’re getting opinions from the county attorney as to how that happens, but I do know his seat will be filled by special election.”
Until then, Dockery said the board will operate as a four-member board, which he says will not be too different from the board’s normal five-member operations.
“If you go back and read our enabling legislation, the chairman of the board only votes if it changes the outcome of the vote, so I guess from a technical standpoint, if there were two for and one against and the chair voted against, then whatever action item you have would not pass because it would not have a majority,” he said. “So it’s really the same concept.”
While community members are devastated by the loss, his fellow board members feel that Miller would encourage them to carry on.
“I have not yet worked through my own emotions pertaining to this tragic loss,” said Mayfield. “But I am confident that David would want me and everyone else to celebrate this life well lived, to revel in his joyous nature, and to steer toward a better future for our children and grandchildren.”
Dockery agreed, saying that Miller is still very much a part of the work the board is doing.
“If I know David, he would want us to hold our chin up and continue with all the good things that we’ve got going on in Lumpkin County,” he said. “He’s certainly a part of all of that.”