HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — Blair County mourns the loss of Judge Fred B. Miller, who passed away on Sunday night at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore following a brief illness. Judge Miller, 54, held a critical role in the legal community, having served as a district judge in the Tyrone area for over two decades before being elected to the county’s judicial bench just last year.
Judge Miller succumbed to cancer, which was diagnosed after he broke his femur and underwent surgery. According to close associates, despite experiencing pain, the severity of his illness came as a surprise as there were no prior indications of his condition until recently. His health concerns had led him to take a medical leave from his duties beginning in late August.
President Judge Wade A. Kagarise expressed his sorrow, noting the deep loss felt by Miller’s colleagues, friends, and family, including his wife, Tracy, and son, Grant. Kagarise highlighted Miller’s bravery and his concern for his family during his illness, illustrating the character of a man who was deeply committed to both his professional and personal life.
Fred B. Miller, a native of Tyrone and a graduate of Penn State Dickinson School of Law, was initially appointed as the magisterial district judge for northern Blair County in 2002. His legal career prior to his judgeship included practicing law and serving as a law clerk. Over the years, he was elected and re-elected to continue serving in the district judicial position.
Miller’s impact extended beyond the courtroom. His community involvement was substantial; he managed a local soccer program with over 300 players, was involved in the running of the Reliance Bank Holiday Basketball Tournament for more than a decade, and contributed to various local committees and organizations such as the Northern Blair Recreation Commission and the Jaffa Shrine.
In 2023, following an unsuccessful bid in 2013, Miller campaigned vigorously for a seat on the county’s judicial bench and won. His campaign, managed by Chris Forshey, was marked by a spirit of serving the community rather than partisan politics. Forshey himself noted Miller’s dedication not only to the campaign but to the community, emphasizing that Miller “wanted to do the job right.”
The loss of Judge Miller has come at a time when the county is already managing a judicial vacancy since no successor has been named for former Judge Elizabeth Doyle. The workload and court cases Miller handled will now be distributed among his colleagues, continuing the judicial process without disruption.
Blair County last faced the death of a judge in office in 1987, marking Judge Miller’s passing as a significant event in the local judiciary. As the community and court adjust to this loss, the contributions and dedication of Judge Fred B. Miller to public service and justice will not be forgotten.
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