Former state welfare chief Miller dies at 81

Friday, May 4, 2001 | 10:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- George Miller, one of the most colorful state welfare directors ever to serve Nevada, died Thursday at the Carson-Tahoe Hospital after suffering two heart attacks.

He was 81.

Miller served as director from 1968 to 1981 under three governors and was known for his homespun humor.

When the Legislature heaped more duties on his agency, Miller replied that he felt like a fire hydrant in a field full of dogs.

"George was one of the more colorful people," said Minor Kelso, who served as director of Medicaid under Miller. "He never wanted to be pictured as a give-away administrator. But he was not a conservative. He had empathy for the welfare recipients."

Miller served during a time when there was increasing militancy among welfare families. They marched down the Las Vegas Strip demanding better treatment.

His former wife, Ruth, said Miller died five days after entering the hospital for tests.

His term as welfare director was interrupted when he served as temporary chief of staff for Gov. Mike O'Callaghan. He then returned to his job.

O'Callaghan said he worked with Miller in the federal and state governments.

"He was an outstanding and colorful public servant," O'Callaghan said.

After leaving his state job, Miller joined the transition team of President Ronald Reagan, and then he was appointed director of Health and Human Services for the western United States with offices in San Francisco.

He retired in 1990 and returned to Carson City.

Born Dec. 16, 1919, in Pattonburg, Mo., where he grew up, he later moved to California and went to work for the California Youth Authority.

He served in the Navy during World War II.

After the war he returned to work for the youth authority, where he rose to the position of adult group supervisor.

He left that job for one with the Job Corps before becoming Nevada's welfare director.

He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Los Angeles State University and a master's in public administration from Sacramento State.

He is survived by three sons, Jack Miller of LaHabre, Calif., and Alan Blair and George Miller Jr., both of San Francisco; one daughter, Mary Miller Lenz of Reno; and three grandchildren.

No services are planned. Burial will be in Pattonburg.