George E. Miller

George E. Miller, 91, whose 36 years as an administrator of the North Little Rock public school system was capped by a record 15 years as its superintendent, died Monday, January 16. Mr. Miller was born August 23, 1920 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the son of George T. and Caroline Williams Miller. He reported to Camp Joseph T. Robinson near North Little Rock as an Army trainee in the first days of World War II. There he met his future wife, Jean Adams, who died in 2002 after 56 years of marriage. Mr. Miller served in the Pacific campaign as a medical corps officer. Following the Allied victory, he continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve until his retirement from its Civil Affairs branch as a major. Mr. Miller earned a bachelor's degree from State Teachers College in Bloomsburg, Pa., and a master of arts from New York University. He did post-graduate study at the University of Arkansas. After two years as a classroom instructor in the Wilkes-Barre schools, Mr. Miller joined the North Little Rock system in 1948 as principal of Fourth Street Junior High School. In 1952 he was made principal of North Little Rock High School, a legendary tenure that ended 12 years later with his promotion to deputy superintendent of schools. In 1969, after five years as second in command of the district and upon the retirement of F.B. Wright, Mr. Miller was elevated by the board of education to the superintendent's chair, where he remained until his retirement in 1984. His greatest source of satisfaction, Mr. Miller often said, was the certification of all the North Little Rock district's schools by the North Central Association, the first such accreditation of an entire public school system in its 19-state region. His most taxing assignment as an administrator was navigating the district through the shoals of desegregation, a task that satisfied few and angered many. Many times he and his family received anonymous death threats, yet his most persistent concern was the time he was compelled to spend on litigation, days he argued would have been better spent on improving classroom instruction for pupils of every race. Mr. Miller's contributions to education extended beyond the North Little Rock schools. He served numerous local, state and national education organizations, lectured on classroom and administrative matters at Arkansas State Teacher's College and U.A.L.R., was an executive committee member of the Arkansas Athletic Association and was a member of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement Board. Additionally, Mr. Miller, a member of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, served the boards of the North Little Rock Boy's Club, the United Way and the Health and Welfare Council of Pulaski County. A devoted churchman, Mr. Miller was a former Sunday school teacher and board member of North Little Rock's First United Methodist Church. Mr. Miller's prized refuge was his houseboat, "Hide-a-way." to which he and Mrs. Miller retreated most weekends before and after his retirement. They were invariably accompanied by his beloved beagle, Duke, whose passing several years ago opened the door to Callie, a Calico who adored her master, as he adored her. Mr. Miller is survived by his daughter, Diane M. Barnes of North Little Rock; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Loeb of Maumelle and Blair W. Barnes (Stephanie) of Cabot; and two great-granddaughters, Taylor and Lauren Loeb of Maumelle. Other survivors include his sister, Verna Staub, and his nephew George Isaac (Carol), all of Pennsylvania. The family will receive friends Thursday, January 19 from 6 to 8 p.m., at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd. in North Little Rock, 72116. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. the following day, also at Roller-Owens. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Online guest book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.