Hundreds of friends, family and dignitaries gathered at the Brownwood Coliseum Saturday afternoon to celebrate the life of late City Councilman Draco Miller, who passed away Feb. 16 at the age of 60.
Miller’s public service began in 2001 on the City of Brownwood Planning and Zoning Board, and in 2010 he started a 13-year stint as the City Council representative from Ward 4 when we was elected for the first time. Miller was selected as Mayor Pro-Tem three times by fellow City Council members, a capacity in which he served from 2014-22.
Among those who spoke at Saturday’s service were Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, Howard Payne University President Dr. Cory Hines, Attorney Tommy Adams, Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace the Rev. Harold Hogan, Bishop Aaron Blake of Greater Faith Community Church, and longtime friend David Harrison – who sang ‘My Way’ in memory of Miller, per his request.
Haynes said of his friend Miller, “He put his reputation and livelihood on the line for my campaign and believed in me and supported me like no one else and that will never be forgotten. He was my friend, he was my colleague and he was a trusted advisor. Being involved in politics together, there were some difficult times. I saw him stressed, I saw him mad and I saw him worried, but the man I’ll remember the most is the man who smiled a lot and laughed a lot. Draco did 100 years worth of good in just 60.”
Hines spoke of Miller’s local impact, stating, “Draco’s name is one that will be forever remembered in this community as a symbol of community service, dedication and kindness. He leaves behind a loving family that will cherish his memory and continue to be a source of inspiration for other people. His presence will be deeply missed, but the memories of his warm smile and infectious laughter will live on.”
Adams said of his 10-plus year friendship with Miller, “He would tell you that he was no saint, he was a rascal at times, but he also got up every morning, put a shoe on each foot, and got out there with all his heart and soul and fought sin, self and the world and lived a righteous life with righteous actions and righteous thoughts. This is a man who fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.”
Hogan, who considered Miller both a friend and mentor, said, “Because of him we are family. He is an angel now and he will be watching over us. His friendship was an example for me, an example to the community. There couldn’t be a man fairer or true. He faithfully ran his race that was set before him, and he was an honorable man. We’re going to miss this gentle giant who was larger than life. He’s still in our heart and may he rest in peace.”
Blake spoke of a lifetime of friendship and Miller’s legacy, stating, “The streets of Beaver, Cordell, Bailey shaped him long before a council responsibility. Five things come to mind when I think of Draco. He loved his companion, he loved him some Sonja. He loved his children. He loved his community. He loved his city. And he loved his Christ. This community lost a legend but they gained an opportunity to be a part of the legacy. I believe Heaven is rejoicing right now and giving high fives, and Draco is saying ‘this is an election I ran for all my life and now I’ve been voted into Heaven.’”
Draco “Tony” Miller also spoke eloquently of his father as a provider and protector not only for his family, but the City of Brownwood as well. He likened the song “Stand By Me,” a favorite of his father’s, to his father’s approach toward life, while also sharing a memory of his father making a video to the song during a trip to Six Flags in Arlington, which filled the Coliseum with rambunctious laughter.
“That’s what my father did for you, for the City of Brownwood, the citizens of Brownwood, his family, his loved ones, he stood by you,” Miller said. “The honorable Draco Miller stood tall to protect us all, now it’s our time to do the same. Put down your differences with your fellow man, stand by him. Reach across the aisle and stand by him. See those who are in need, and stand by them. See those who need something, and stand by them. That’s what the honorable Draco Miller did.”
Pastor Eric L. Jordan from A Breath of Praise Community Church gave the eulogy Saturday, and referenced the “dash” between a person’s date of birth and death on their tombstones.
Jordan said, “On every tombstone there’s the name of the deceased, the date they were born and the date they died. While those are milestones and important, the most essential is the ‘dash.’ Between the birth date and between the death date, the dash is often unnoticed. The dash is overlooked not realizing the dash of our life is the larger story. What we do in the dash is what we are judged by, and Draco had a dash to be proud of. His work in the community was exemplary, he was loved by many and respected by everyone.”
Haynes, State Rep. David Spiller and Judge Mike Smith – on behalf of U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, who paid tribute to Miller on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 27 – recited proclamations from the city, state and national level in Miller’s honor. Spiller and Smith also presented the Miller family with flags that had flown over the Texas and U.S. Capitol buildings.
Miller was awarded the Man of the Year by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and in 2019 his business – Draco’s Janitorial and Auto Detailing – was awarded the Medium Business of the Year.
Miller also founded Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) in 2012 (originally under the name Friends of Bennie Houston) to mobilize improvements in Brownwood while other accomplishments while on City Council include the naming of Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, instituting Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a City holiday, enhancements to multiple parks including Cecil Holman, Coggin, Wiggins, Allcorn, Mayes, Riverside, Fabis, and Trigg, and the construction of the Bert V. Massey Sports Complex, the Camp Bowie Aquatic Center, the Skate Park, the Soccer Complex, and the Senior Citizens Center.
Miller is survived by his wife Sonja Miller of 42 years; children: Mirris Ray, Natosha Webb-Miller, Draco “Tony” Miller (DeJoundla), Tiffany Farr (Morris), Symone Miller, Siblings: Jodie Miller, LaJon Miller, Ilitha McMillon (Harold); grandchildren: Nehemiah Ray, Lyric Ray, Londyn Ray, Mirris Ray Jr, Amari Starr, Ayden Hastings, Daija Miller, Dailyn Miller, Harper Farr, Hudson Farr; brothers-in-law Titus Webb (Melissa), Reeco Person (Sharon), and Michael Person (Yvonne); and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Miller was laid to rest in Greenleaf Cemetery.
[Story by Derrick Stuckly, BrownwoodNews.com]