Ex-Oak Ridge High Football Player Darryl Thomas Miller, 36, Found Dead by Father and Brother on the Same Morning His Maternal Grandmother Passed Away

Was a hardworking man!

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Former Student athlete at Austin Peay State University, Darryl Thomas Miller, passed away leving behind his parents and a daughter.

Darryl grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later lived in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He attended Oak Ridge High School, where he played football and track and developed an interest in fitness, health, and nutrition.

After high school, he continued his education at Austin Peay University, where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance in 2011.

Later, Darryl became an entrepreneur, owning and operating Millertime Bread LLC for over a decade.

Also Read: Pasadena, California native and veteran Sports Illustrated photographer Peter Read Miller passes away after a distinguished over four-decade career

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Community Mourns the Sudden Death of Darryl Thomas Miller!

Darryl Thomas Miller, age 36, passed away on January 3, 2026. He was discovered deceased by his dad and brother at his own house.

Unfortunately, his maternal grandmother also died the same morning. When his mother tried calling Darryl, he did not respond, raising concern.

While the exact cause of Darryl’s death has not been disclosed by the family, they seem to be processing the tragedy.

According to his father, Darryl had been working two eight-hour jobs for the past nine months and had not been eating healthily, which might have contributed to his passing.

Following his death, not just his family, but also his former teammates and the entire community seem to be processing their grief.

One of his friends from school years recalled his moments with Darryl and shared his grief in a Facebook post, writing;

Man this news today has been tough to hear especially when its people you grew up with R.I.P Darryl Miller…I will never forget the memories from boys club baseball all the way to high school football and off campus lunch anytime i needed a ride D.Mill always took care of me and I will never forget that! My heart & condolences to the family

Now, Darryl remains in the hearts of everyone who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Janice Christian and Anthony Miller, his brother Jalen Miller, his daughter Maliyah Miller, and his grandmother Ruby Miller.

As the family continues to process their loss, they have scheduled the visitation and funeral service for Darryl on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 4:30 PM at Heritage Fellowship Church – Oak Ridge (121 N Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830).

While everyone who knew Darryl is processing their grief, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Miller family and friends.

Also Read: Farley Community Baseball and Softball Coach Larry Allen Wilson Passed Away, Leaving Behind a Spirit of Dedication to Paducah and McCracken County Schools!

Nishan
Nishan
Nishan Dahal writes sports with a human touch, covering breaking news, athlete lives, and the stories that stats can't tell. Nishan believes every athlete has a story worth telling. With the goal of bringing those stories to life with honesty, heart, and a touch of curiosity, he shares his insights through PlayerBio.

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