Jimmie Lee Miller was born to Carl and Edith Miller on March 26, 1932.  He attended Oakton Elementary School in Oakton, Virginia, and Fairfax High School, 1946 through 1950.  While at Fairfax High School, he lettered in varsity baseball and basketball.  Jimmie Miller attended the University of Virginia where he was a four-year starter on the varsity baseball team.  Upon graduation, Jimmie married Joyce Anne Leigh on August 21, 1954.  Shortly thereafter he entered the United States Army and served from 1954 to 1956, during which time he was stationed in Germany. 

 

Upon his return to the United States, he began his teaching and coaching career at McLean High School.  At McLean, he served as assistant, then head varsity baseball coach, junior varsity basketball coach, assistant freshman football coach, and athletic director.  During these years, he received his master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  It was also during these years that two children were born to Jimmie and Joyce Miller:  Steven Michael Miller and James Vernon Miller.  In 1967, Jimmie transferred to Marshall High School, where he remained until he retired.  At Marshall, he coached the junior varsity basketball team and the varsity baseball team.  Coach Miller guided the varsity baseball team through many successful seasons, including district and regional championships.  The stadium at Marshall High School is named in Coach Miller’s honor. 

 

In the winter of 1973, Coach Miller was suddenly diagnosed as having a malignant brain tumor and underwent surgery immediately.  His post-surgery recuperation prevented him from starting spring baseball practice in 1974.  However, he returned to join the team with the season in progress and went on to lead Marshall baseball to the Great Falls District and Northern Virginia Regional baseball titles.  In 1975 Coach Miller again led the Varsity baseball team to repeat district and regional baseball titles. 

 

After the 1976 school year, Mr. Miller retired from the Fairfax County School System.  Tragically on April 18, 1977, Mr. Miller succumbed to cancer.  He is survived by his wife and his two sons.  The Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators and Coaches Association established a scholarship in 1978 to recognize and aid deserving students who strive for excellence, and who display the qualities of honor and dignity, the same qualities with which Jimmie Lee Miller lived and died.