Donald Wayne Miller, age 78, left this world on the morning of January 24, 2026, in his living room, surrounded by his family, and immediately became present with Jesus.

Donald was born on February 3, 1947, at home on Ruppe Road in Oakdale, Tennessee, to Hugh & Eula Miller. He grew up in a large, loving family with nine siblings, learning early the values of hard work, loyalty, and love for family. Don graduated from Oakdale High School and was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, he often served as a tunnel rat-one of the most dangerous roles imaginable. On June 17, 1967, Don was hit by large shrapnel in his leg. Two and a half hours later, he was shot in the head, sustaining severe injuries that required three surgeries and a 47-day hospitalization. Out of the 210 men in his unit, 182 were either killed or wounded. God saw Don through those unimaginable days and brought him safely home.

Back home, Don met the love of his life, Pamela Murray, at Archie’s Drive-In. They quickly fell in love and were married on Valentine’s Day in 1969. Two sons soon followed – Steve and Doug – who became the pride of his life. Don worked three jobs over his career, including TN Valley Forge for 13 years, MCCXC for 7 years, and AKZO NOBEL Fortafil Fibers, where retired after 21 years in 2009 and in his own words, “never missed a meal.”

After retirement, he continued working for his family as everyone’s plumber, electrician, concrete worker, farmer, carpenter, mechanic, and garbage man. No matter where he went, Don never met a stranger and never made an enemy. He was known for his warm smile, his contagious happy attitude, and his continuous spoonerisms-like “Two Smart Fellars.” Many knew him as Mud Duck. To his grandchildren, he always had a nickname ready: Little Buddy, Papaw’s Little Man, Hungary Jack, Baby Doll, and so many more.

Don was a faithful member of Westside Baptist Church for many years and loved his church family. To know Don was to know love – to feel loved and to feel welcome. He was a simple man who liked “plain food,” but he loved a good road trip, camping trip, or fishing trip. He could fillet a fish like none other. Don loved being anywhere his family was. He never missed ball games. He rarely went more than a day or two without seeing his grandkids. His children and grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy. Even while battling cancer through the years, Don showed up – faithfully attending games, events, and family gatherings. Many vacations were spent with his grandchildren at the beach, where he loved to lay in the sun and eat peanuts, on cruises, or traveling out West.

He was always ready at a moment’s notice for the next adventure, no matter his age or how frail he had become. Don lived. He lived until the very end. He was intelligent, yet simple. He gave advice but never pushed it. He loved freely. He smiled often. He hummed. He joked. He made others laugh. He made people feel good. And he was never afraid to tell you that he loved you. Before Don’s reunion with Jesus, we celebrated his earthly birthday early. With hardly any strength or voice, he raised his hand and said, “you’ve been the best wife and I thank God for you. I love you. I love yuns all and I am blessed.” Those were his last words on this Earth, but we have the blessed assurance that we will talk with him again. That we will laugh with him again.

If anything can be taken from Don’s life, it is to live it – live with humbleness, with happiness, with a gratefulness…see beauty in the small things, give a helping hand, love hard, take the trip, laugh hard, don’t take more than you need, love Jesus, and ALWAYS be there for your family. Don once told us that his favorite word was copacetic. He asked if we knew what it meant – a way to say something is perfectly fine, okay, or even great. Today, Don is copacetic.

Donald Wayne Miller is preceded in death by his parents: Hugh & Eula Miller.

Sisters: Lillian Paxton and Audrey Jeffers.

Brothers: Billy, Bobby, and Charlie Miller.

Brothers-in-Law: Dean Kamer and Vick Jeffers

Sister-in-law: Leona Miller.

Survived by loving wife of almost 57 years: Pamela Miller.

Sons & daughters-in-law: Steve & Monica Miller, and Doug & Erin Miller.

Grandchildren: Colby &Melanie Miller, Luke & Sonny Miller, Garrett Miller, Olivia & Rhett Nelson, Blake Miller, Amelia & Joseph Summers, Kyle Miller, Lane Miller.

Great Grands: Trace and Tatum Miller, Walker and Millie Ray Nelson, Charlie Jo Miller.

Sisters: Barbara Kamer, Joyce Suggs

Brothers: James Miller, Michael & wife Lori Miller.

Brother-in-Law: Robert Paxton

A host of nieces and nephews

The family will receive friends Wednesday January 28, 2026, at Davis Funeral Home in Harriman from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM with Pastor Wayne Nelson officiating. The graveside service will be Thursday January 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Pine Orchard Cemetery

Davis Funeral Home in Harriman is honored to serve the family of Mr. Donald Wayne Miller during this time.