James (Tommy) Miller, 72, passed away on July 17, 2024, in Cartersville, Georgia.

Tommy was born on January 22, 1952, at Howell-Quillian Clinic in Cartersville, GA, to James Robert Miller and Sarah Joyce Brown (Jarrard).

Soon after high school, in 1963, Tommy and his cousin voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Tommy completed four honorable years of service to his country and received training to handle artillery fired atomic projectiles. Tommy spent nearly a year stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The Vietnam war came to closure just one day before he would have received orders to enter country. Tommy's enlistment period may have ended in 1973, but once a Marine, always a Marine.

After the military, came his two children. Jamie in 1977 and Bobby in 1981.

Tommy finally met the love of his life, Deborah Selman, while working as a Production Supervisor on February 23, 1983. Later, on October 7, 1985, they married in Marietta followed by a honeymoon in Helen, GA. Jamie and Bobby were blessed with a wonderful stepmother who would become more like a mother to them, and Tommy gained his soulmate.

Tommy was best known for being a family-focused man. He was loyal, honest, and had superb work ethic, treating everyone by the golden rule. He was Jamie's hero and he knew it. He has been described as being a mentor and a great boss. Tommy spent a lot of time teaching his children, his grandsons and already his great-granddaughter, hobbies and life skills. He always said he was a jack of all trades, master of none - however if you ask his family, he was a master at many. He offered unconditional love and if you were fortunate enough to be loved by him, you knew it. Many hours were spent on the sidelines or bleachers of whatever activity Dillon and Elijah were interested in. Also common were long drives exploring and talking about the old days of his childhood while singing along to the radio.

Although he seemed stoic and calm most of the time, he was known to chase an occasional adrenaline rush. He was a devoted NASCAR fan and enjoyed things that went fast - restoring Mopars and teaching his grandsons the word "HEMI" at a very young age. He also loved the water... the ocean, the lake and fish aquariums. One of his favorite activities was fishing; although he seemed to prefer watching Debbie, Dillon or Eli reel in a whopper to catching one himself... if he could get Jamie to hush long enough not to scare off the fish.

Tommy is preceded in death and now reunited with: Sara Jarrard (mother), James Robert Miller (father), numerous aunts and uncles and James Robert "Bobby" Miller (son).

Tommy leaves behind his devoted wife of nearly 40 years, Debbie Miller; his daughter, Jamie Smith (Brandon); grandsons, Dillon Wilhoit (Kailee) and Elijah Wilhoit (Sydney Coan); great grandchildren, Liberty Rose Wilhoit and two great grandsons making their appearance later this year; his brother, Jerry Miller and sister Leisa Williams, nieces and nephews, Debbie's very large family, and his very sad black lab, Daisy.

Visitation: Collins Funeral Home, Acworth, GA. Saturday, July 27, 2024 (9am - 11am)

Funeral Chapel Service: Collins Funeral Home, Acworth, GA. Saturday, July 27, 2024 (11am - 12pm)
There will be a live stream for those who aren't able to attend in person.

Burial with Military Honors: Rolling Hills Memory Gardens, Acworth, GA.

Memorial donations can be made in Tommy's name to St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Humane Society of the U.S.A.

Collins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. James Tommy Miller.

A live stream of the service will be at HERE