Dr. Samuel Lamar Miller, Sr., a humble servant of the Lord, passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2023. Sam’s greatest love was his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lamar and Jessie Mae Miller, and his beloved furry companion, Lola. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pamela Peek Miller, his four children, Samuel “Lamar” Miller, Jr. (Anne Marie), Gray Miller Gambrell (Allan), Mary Katherine “Bug” Miller, and Henry Kaylor Miller (Grace), as well as four grandchildren, Samuel Lamar Miller III “Trip”, Jack Miller and Jessie Margaret Gambrell, and John Owen Miller. Sam is also survived by his aunt, Mahala McKinney, as well as a host of other beloved family and friends.
Sam was born on March 13, 1950 in Childersburg, AL and graduated from Childersburg High School in 1967. He became the youngest member of the Million Dollar Band at the University of Alabama, where he earned his degree in Physical Therapy. After a year as a physical therapist, he attended University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine for Orthopedic Surgery. Sam was a founding member and practiced medicine at Southern Orthopedic Surgeons for many years and served on the board at Baptist South. Sam loved medicine and started the Crippled Children’s Clinic providing life changing care to many children in rural Alabama. Sam was also a founding member of Buckmasters and B&M Management and enjoyed his time as chairman of the board at Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
In addition to his work, Sam was passionate about music, playing tuba in the Capital Sounds Concert Band and Saint James Church traditional service. He also played bass and sang in his three rock and roll bands Charades, Gold Rush, and 14 Feet of Soul with friends from high school and college. His other passions include Auburn Athletics, hunting, cutting the soccer fields at his church, smoking cigars, and the arts, particularly classical and Broadway music.
While Sam was a lifelong supporter of many different causes, his greatest joy in life was his wife, children, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sam’s three favorite causes:
Saint James Church Debt Relief Fund 9045 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36117
Mitchell’s Place 4778 Overton Road Birmingham, AL 35210
Tigers Unlimited Foundation-Auburn Men’s Basketball Attn: Jon Wilson PO Box 351 Auburn, AL 36831-0351
