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MR. DUANE FRANKLIN Age 74, passed away Monday, June 20, 2022, in Georgia. Visitation and family hour 9:00 AM Monday, July 11, 2022, at Word of Life Christian Church, 460 W. Atherton Rd., with Celebration of Life Ceremony commencing at 10:00 AM Pastor George Wilkinson officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the church 9:00 AM Monday. Mr. Miller will lie in state at Word of Life Christian Church and may be viewed during the family hour only. Duane Franklin Miller was born July 11, 1947, in Flint, Michigan.The first child of Jacob Franklin Miller and Audrey (Blassingame) Harmon. He was a graduate of Flint Southwestern High School class of 1965. During high school years, he was the quarterback/captain of the football team and a track & field state champion. Duane started college at Northwood University, where he played college football as a quarterback. He transferred to Western Michigan University (WMU) where he later became a member of the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. and served as Dean of Pledges. While attending WMU, he was elected the first African-American Student Body President. Duane graduated from WMU as a marketing major with a bachelor's degree in business administration. After completing his degree, Duane was drafted into the United States Army and served two and a half years during the Vietnam War, prior to receiving an honorable discharge. Duane started his career with General Motors Corporation (GM) in 1970 and in 1976 he became one of the youngest executives in the history of the company. During his career, he went back to school and attended the University of California-Berkeley where he completed training and received an executive management degree. After 38 years and several positions, Duane retired as GM's Global Executive Director of GM Parts and Services. After his GM retirement, the focus was on giving back to his hometown of Flint. He served as the City Manager under interim Mayor Mike Brown, until a new mayor was elected. He then went to work as the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his life, Duane served on multiple boards including Motor Parts of America, Inc, McLaren Regional Medical Center, United Way of Genesee and Lapeer Counties (President). He also served on several committees - Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's Task Force, Automotive Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flint & Genesee County. Duane received a number of outstanding leadership awards over the years, his most prized were The Dale Earnhardt Award and The Rosa Parks award from Vernon Chapel AME (Flint, MI). Duane loved his family, traveling, and playing golf as a Warwick Hills member. He left Michigan and moved to Las Vegas, after leaving the Chamber. Duane leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 47 years Diane Miller, daughters Audra Miller and Tiffany Miller-Smyrna, GA, son DeAndre Jones-Lansing, MI, granddaughter, DeOnna Jones-Flint, MI, and three great-grandchildren; siblings - Lavern Miller-Bodrum, Turkey, Steven Harmon-Flint, MI, Edna (Antheaus) Lige-Detroit, MI.; in-laws: Cheryl Dixon, Gregory (Justina Lockley) Miller, Dr. Anthony (Mina Felfeli) Miller, Phillip (Joan Bullock) Miller, and Steven Miller; aunt, Shirley Blassingame-Flint MI; cousins: Maxine Hill-Flushing, Ml, Jackie Gray Arlington, TX; sister-in-love, Sweetie Vickers, and numerous family members and dear friends. Duane was preceded in death by Jacob Franklin Miller - father; Audrey (Blassingame) Harmon, mother; Edward O. Harmon; step-father; Eugene Miller, father-in-law; Donna Miller, mother-in-law; Berry Blassingame-grandfather; Edna Blassingame-Lovett-grandmother; Perry Lovett-step grandfather; Arlene Lovett-step-grandmother; Barry Blassingame Jr., uncle; Dorothy Ferguson-aunt; Katie Harper-aunt; David T. Miller-brother; Dennis Harmon-brother; Theodore Chandler-step brother. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: St Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, The Foundation for Mott Community College. Masks are required for all attendees Services can be live streamed at: https://youtube.com/channel/UCse0yJS5_m97KgbecbwYO1w (https://youtube.com/channel/UCse0yJS5_m97KgbecbwYO1w)
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