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Obituary for Hal D. Miller, Jr.
“The most profound and meaningful thought I have ever had was years ago: ‘People are important. We are God’s gift to one another.’” Hal Miller wrote these words in his journal, but, most of all, he embodied these words in his life. Attorney, church leader, mediator, fundraiser, writer, and teacher — Hal Miller will always be remembered for all of these, but he will perhaps best be remembered for his generous, sacrificial, benevolent spirit; his service to others; his humility; his sense of humor; and his love of family. One of his personal journal entries about family reads, “We are individuals and unique persons. Yet, as such, we are alone and incomplete. We are members of a family, and through that, we gain our completeness. We are part of one another. We are greater than ourselves … When I am with my family, I weep with joy, and say, ‘Thank you, Lord.’” He passed away on August 24, but his presence in this world will live on through the lives of his family: his wife of fifty-nine happy years Dot Huddleston Miller, daughter Lisa Miller Nettles, son Hal Miller III and wife Tricia Toler Miller, daughter Ellen Miller Gabardi and husband Curt Gabardi; grandchildren Amanda Nettles and fiance’ Major Jay Johnson, Dexter Nettles III and wife Katie Sharp Nettles, Mallory Nettles Turnage, Hal Miller IV and wife Kelli Byrd Miller, Kennedy Miller, William Miller, Lee Gabardi, Ben Gabardi and wife Kate Yelverton Gabardi; and great grandchildren Lydia Nettles, Lee Nettles, Millie Turnage, Everett Turnage, Chartres Turnage, Olive Turnage, Maggie Miller, and Olivia Miller. “H,” as he was affectionately known by his family, instilled in them a love of a character as likable and lovable as H, SpongeBob SquarePants. His children are forever grateful for the steadfast and unselfish care which their mother Dot gave him during the many years of his illness. And his family is grateful for special caregivers during his illness, Glenda Jones, Tirrany Bass, and Tawanna Terrell whose constancy and patience surrounded him and his family. His life will be celebrated with a Eucharist at St. James’ Episcopal Church on Saturday, August 27 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation in Fowler Hall at St. James’ will be held Friday, August 26 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Born in 1935 in New Orleans to Harold Dewey Miller, Sr. and Dorothy Maurer Miller, Hal grew up primarily in Jackson, MS, one of six Miller brothers, with three additional Brickell brothers added along the way. A graduate of Central High School in 1953, Millsaps College in 1957, and the University of Mississippi Law School in 1959, he was the first associate hired at Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens and Cannada. In 1986, he became the first elected Chair of the firm. At age 65, he wrote a piece called The Names on the Door and Me, “a love letter from one who has given a lifetime to this Firm and has received so much more in return.” Fellow law partner Steve Rosenblatt says it “is Hal’s masterpiece. It is still used by the firm to give a perspective on the undergirding principles on which the firm was based and on which the firm operates. I never tire of reading this. I see Hal’s keen insight and his great sense of humor in just about every page.” Hal retired from the firm in 2001, and upon his retirement, he wrote, “It is my belief that we are called to honor God by living a moral life in accordance with His standards. In this respect, there is no difference between one’s personal and professional life. The call is universal. In my opinion, this firm’s uniqueness is that we have accepted that call.” His passion for nurturing family businesses, which grew from his dedication to his own family’s business, Miller Transporters, and his passion for bringing Alternative Dispute Resolution to fruition in Mississippi led him to teach at Millsaps College Else School of Management and to serve as Adjunct Professor and Lawyer in Residence at Mississippi College School of Law. He came to be known in many circles as “The Father of Mediation” in Mississippi. Attorney and friend Andy Taggart once wrote that Hal’s “original devotion to the enterprise was driven by his faith, and his faith continues to instruct him in career and life alike. But he also was wise enough to understand that faith with pants on looks a good deal like work, and he worked diligently to make ADR an effective and oft-chosen tool for litigants and attorneys in Mississippi.” He served as President of the Jackson Young Lawyers (1967), national President of the Transportation Lawyers Association (1983-84), President of the Capital Area Bar Association (1992-93), and as President of the Mississippi Bar Foundation (2001-02). He was awarded the first Hinds County Bar Association Professionalism Award (1999). Frank Montague, late prominent Mississippi attorney, once wrote, “I commend Hal as one who has done more than any other lawyer of my acquaintance to advance professionalism and ethics in the Bar of Mississippi.” He was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Mississippi Law School (1997-8); the Mississippi Bar’s Distinguished Service Award for his six years as Chairman of the ADR Committee and for his service as the Chair of the Mississippi Bar Ethics Committee (1998); and the Mississippi Bar Lifetime Achievement Award (2012). Outside of his law career, he served on the Vestry and as Jr. and Sr. Wardens at St. James’ Episcopal Church; he served as a chalice bearer and lay reader; he taught church history with clarity and humor, often using his favorite “literature,” comic strips. He worked to raise funds for Stewpot Community Services and for Mission First, where a legal aid room is being named in his honor. He completed a 4-year Education for Ministry course through Sewanee and a 2-year program of study in spiritual direction through Millsaps’ Center for Ministry. He served as president of the Country Club of Jackson. “Always compliment someone. Particularly compliment them when they don’t expect it. It will leave them speechless.” He wrote these words in one of his many letters to his family — and he lived these words. Family, friends, and acquaintances often received unexpected letters from him, letters of recognition and of love, words of wisdom. During a time of reflection about fifteen years ago, he wrote “My Epitaph: He loved his Lord. He loved his family and friends. He was a good lawyer. He tried to make the world a better place.” And he did. If you’d like to express your gratitude for his life, please consider making contributions to any of the following: Mission First (checks should be made payable to Mission First Inc. with “Hal D. Miller, Jr. Legal Aid Office Fund” in the memo line), P.O. Box 250, Jackson, MS 39205; Stewpot Community Services, 1100 W. Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39203; St. James’ Episcopal Church, 3921 Oak Ridge Drive, Jackson, MS 39216. “Blessed are the peacemakers” Hal Miller was a peacemaker. Amen.