Thomas Wayne Miller

Wayne attended high school through his Junior year at Seminole County High School and graduated in 1959 from Port St. Joe High School. As a youngster living and growing up in small towns, Wayne developed a close bond with friends from Donalsonville and Port St. Joe, many of whom remain in close contact to this day.

Wayne's father died at an early age and soon thereafter his grandparents moved into the same house as he, his mother, and sister. Stories of times with and tales shared by his grandfather "Mr. Gus" became a bedrock for Wayne's future dedication to his family and friends. Mr. Gus was a blacksmith by profession and a Bible scholar through choice. Wayne always had one more story to share of his times with Mr. Gus as they sat under the spreading mulberry tree at the front of the blacksmith shop and tales of the "olden days" were passed to another generation. The same shade tree was a place for new adventure tales to be shared by Wayne and his sandlot baseball players, Jimmy Wren and other adventures with classmate, Wayne Kirkland.

Immediately following graduation Wayne and five of his best friends enlisted in the National Guard to spend their Summer in training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Wayne continued in the National Guard for six years and there remains stories to share (and not share) of those escapes with his friends Higdon Swatts and Mike Munn.

Wayne was a gifted salesman, always representing his company and the needs of his clients. His days of work began as a youngster in the local Piggly Wiggly and never slowed as he entered corporate sales with Carnation, then Kimberly Clark, and his final stint of twenty years with Simmons Beauty Rest. If quotas existed or awards were to be won for achievement Wayne was usually found first in line with new automobiles and trips. Due to declining health, Wayne retired in 1999 and began his new life as a volunteer.

In Tallahassee he coached two state championship Little League baseball teams, then in Jacksonville as a volunteer with Mayo Clinic, and for seven years tutoring students in reading and math at Crown Point Elementary. Wayne also served as representative for the area Mental Health Associations with the United Way of Greater Jacksonville.

There was always time to follow a good bird dog as Wayne walked the fields of South Georgia, Arkansas, and North Dakota alongside his uncle his uncle W.C. Ivey. If the birds were not flying it was time to cast a line in any lake or river with his longtime fishing partner Jim Pfeil. He had a great time during his last fishing trip in April with Jim, at a fish camp called "Almost Heaven" Plantation, in South Carolina.

A devoted husband, father, brother, friend, and man of faith, Wayne was a member of Bartram Baptist Church. He cherished time with his family while often speaking about what Heaven would be like as a future home.

Wayne is survived by Carol, his wife of twenty-nine years; daughter Sara Lee Miller, Tallahassee; sister, Barbara Miller Henricks, Gainesville; and brother, Emory Johnson (Dorothy), Climax, Georgia. Also surviving are his stepson Mike McWaters (Louise) and grandson Noah, Jacksonville; numerous cousins and family members. Missing him daily is his sidekick and canine family member Sunny.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 13th, at 1:00 at Bartram Baptist Church, 13233 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be provided to the church.

Our family sincerely appreciates all of you for your prayers, cards and love. We wish to recognize Neptune Society for the amazing way they cared for us through this time. Our deepest appreciation goes out to the Mayo Clinic family of nurses, doctors, and support staff for their care of Wayne during his many illnesses and the family during our loss.