David Maxwell Miller, 87, of Plant City, died Feb. 5, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health.
He was born June 30, 1929, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to Max and Maynie Miller. He grew up in Benton, Mississippi, where he graduated from Anding High School in 1947. He married his first wife, Catherine, and began farming. He later worked at Mississippi Chemical for 10 years, and then at CF Industries for 31 years with assignments in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Tampa and Bartow. He retired in 1998. His professional success was accompanied by a remarkable commitment to Plant City’s welfare. His service and generosity to his community improved the quality of life for everyone and will leave a positive imprint for many years to come. He served on several boards and committees with an expertise in fundraising and civic projects, including First Presbyterian Church of Plant City, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Plant City Rotary Club, Greater Tampa YMCA, South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation, Hillsborough Community College and the Florida Strawberry Festival.
He was a man of God, serving as deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church of Plant City. His accomplishments were too vast to list, but he was the type of citizen people would turn to if they needed something done successfully. He enjoyed church, helping others, mentoring, working and yard work. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Emma Martin Pitts Miller; sister, Elizabeth Drummond, of Plant City; grandchildren, John Lewis Meng Jr. (Jennifer), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Amanda Adams Kinderman, of Tampa; great-grandsons, John Lewis “Tripp” Meng III and Tucker David Meng, of Baton Rouge; sons-in-law, John Meng, of Baton Rouge and Leslie Leibenguth, of Fernwood, Mississippi; stepchildren, Jack Paten Pitts, of Apopka and Sheila S. Pitts, of Orlando; and several nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Catherine Miller; children, David M. Miller Jr., Elizabeth “Beth” Miller Meng and Catherine “Cathy” Miller Leibenguth; parents; and sister, Harriet Kintner.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at First Presbyterian Church of Plant City, 404 W. Reynolds St., Plant City.
The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Food Bank of Plant City at UFBPC.org/donations.
Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.