According to his foundation, former U.S. Sen. and Georgia Gov. Zell Miller, a lifelong Democrat, has died at age 86.
Miller’s grandson, Bryan Miller, said Friday that his grandfather passed away peacefully surrounded by family following treatment for Parkinson’s disease, according to Fox News. Words of reflection on Miller from current elected officials in Georgia immediately began pouring in.
"It is with a heavy heart that Sandra and I offer Shirley our deepest condolences on the passing of her devoted husband, Zell. Georgia has lost a favorite son and a true statesmen, and I’ve lost a dear friend," Governor Nathan Deal said. "Zell’s legacy is unequaled and his accomplishments in public service are innumerable. Without question, our state and our people are better off because of him. But the mark Zell made in his private life—as a dutiful son, a loving husband, and a proud father and grandfather—are the ones of which I’m sure he was most proud. I was honored to serve with him in the Senate and have cherished his counsel for decades. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones, of which he had many. May God bless him and keep him."
Other tributes to the late governor also followed.
“Bonnie and I join all Georgians in mourning the loss of former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller. Zell Miller touched the lives of many as a teacher, Marine, public servant, and friend," U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) said. "Throughout his career, Zell Miller was a strong advocate for the value of a public education and made it his mission to ensure Georgia students had the opportunity to pursue a college degree. Because of his work on the HOPE Scholarship Program, over 1.8 million Georgians have been able to attend a public college or university in Georgia who may not have been able to otherwise. His legacy will live on through them. Bonnie and I are praying for Shirley and the Miller family during this very difficult time.”
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville) said Miller shaped Georgia into one of the strongest states in the country.
"He was a national giant from northeast Georgia, and I looked up to him as a leader who never blinked in the face of a challenge or let politics eclipse his principles. I’ll always remember the ways in which he encouraged and supported me through many seasons. My family knew, admired and will miss Zell as a true man of the mountains. Our prayers are focused on his loved ones and the millions of Georgians whom he served."
Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) called Zell Miller a friend to all who knew him.
"Governor Miller truly had a positive impact on everyone he met and his impact on their lives will never be forgotten. He is an example of someone whose kingdom and legacy is not measured by what he had, but by what he did and the legacy he left behind. His commitment to this state and its citizens is truly commendable and will never be forgotten. He will have a lasting impact on Georgia through his message of honesty, decency, integrity and public service. We will keep his family, friends and all of those he impacted in our thoughts and prayers. Today Georgia lost a legend, but his legacy will live on forever.”
Lori Geary, a spokeswoman for the Miller Institute Foundation, said he died Friday morning.
Miller's relatives announced last year that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Miller served as Georgia governor from 1991 to 1999. He was called out of retirement at age 68 in 2000 to fill the final four years of a Senate term. The lifelong Democrat spent most of the term attacking his own party for veering away from mainstream values, and cast many of his votes with Republicans.
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) ran against Miller for governor in 1990 and lost. In 1996, Miller appointed Isakson chairman of the State Board of Education. Isakson led the board until 1999, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Isakson crossed paths with Miller again following Miller’s decision not to seek reelection to the U.S. Senate. Isakson won Miller’s former U.S. Senate seat in 2004.
"Georgia has lost its finest public servant, and I have lost a great friend. I do not know of anyone who impacted the lives of Georgians more than Zell. His Marine Corps values of patriotism and loyalty guided his career in service to his state and his country. Zell and Shirley will always be Georgia’s first family. I treasure their friendship. Dianne and I hold the Miller family in our prayers," Isakson said.
Associated Press contributed to this story.
