Former Georgia governor Zell Miller dies at 86

Former Georgia governor Zell Miller, who spearheaded the creation of Georgia's flagship HOPE Scholarship program, has died at 86. His grandson said he passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family.

Miller was being treated for Parkinson's disease and had stopped making public appearances in October.

"My grandfather passed away peacefully surrounded by his family,” Miller's grandson Bryan Miller said.

"The people of Georgia have lost one of our state’s finest public servants. As his grandson, I learned more from Zell Miller both professionally and personally than from anyone else I have encountered. He was more than my grandfather. He was my dear friend and mentor. I cherish all the time we spent together. I will never forget the lessons he taught me, his witty sense of humor, or his contagious smile. Our family will miss him terribly."

Senator David Perdue issued a statement after the news.

“Bonnie and I join all Georgians in mourning the loss of former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller. Zell Miller touched the lives of many as a teacher, Marine, public servant, and friend. Throughout his career, Zell Miller was a strong advocate for the value of a public education and made it his mission to ensure Georgia students had the opportunity to pursue a college degree. Because of his work on the HOPE Scholarship Program, over 1.8 million Georgians have been able to attend a public college or university in Georgia who may not have been able to otherwise. His legacy will live on through them. Bonnie and I are praying for Shirley and the Miller family during this very difficult time.”

"Georgia has lost a favorite son and a true statesman, and I’ve lost a dear friend," said Georgia's current governor Nathan Deal.

"Zell’s legacy is unequaled and his accomplishments in public service are innumerable. Without question, our state and our people are better off because of him. But the mark Zell made in his private life—as a dutiful son, a loving husband, and a proud father and grandfather—are the ones of which I’m sure he was most proud. I was honored to serve with him in the Senate and have cherished his counsel for decades. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones, of which he had many. May God bless him and keep him."

Zell Miller served as Mayor of Young Harris before becoming a Georgia State Senator from 1961-1964. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia for 16 years from 1975-1991, and is currently the longest serving Lieutenant Governor in Georgia history.

Miller, who was known as a conservative Democrat, was elected as the 79th Governor of Georgia from 1991-1999, where he is known for creating the HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship and Georgia’s Voluntary Pre-K Program. He served in the U.S. Senate from 2000 to 2005.

This story was originally published March 23, 2018 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Former Georgia governor Zell Miller dies at 86."