Miller was a running back at Warren G. Harding High School.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
WARREN — A Warren native who was in the Army Reserve died Tuesday after being critically injured in Iraq.
Marco Miller, 36, of Orlando, Fla., died in a military hospital in Germany surrounded by his sisters and brother, said his mother, Renee Daniels, of Warren.
Miller was riding in a humvee last week with eight other soldiers when a bomb hit the vehicle, Daniels said. A piece of shrapnel from the bomb pierced Miller's brain, Daniels said.
Miller's family was notified of his injuries Sunday, and Miller was kept on life support until his brother and sisters could fly to Germany and see him, Daniels said.
Purple Heart
The Army awarded Miller a Purple Heart and increased his rank to sergeant as a testament to his bravery, Daniels said.
Miller, who owned a photography studio in Orlando, had been in the Reserve for six years, but he had been in Iraq only since September.
"He told us how difficult it was," Daniels said.
Miller grew up in Warren and attended Warren G. Harding High School, where he was a running back for thefootball team and played baseball, Daniels said.
"He loved sports, and he was proud to play for Warren," Daniels said.
Miller is survived by Daniels, his grandmother Julia Butler of Warren, two sisters, Meka Miller and Kim Miller of Virginia, one brother, Demond Miller of Orlando, and a stepsister Carrie McGee of Warren. Miller also has an infant daughter in Orlando who was born while he was in Iraq.
Miller's funeral will be in Warren, but no specific funeral plans have been made yet, Daniels said.
For the time being, Daniels wants the public to know that Miller was a good son and dedicated soldier.
"I am very proud of him," she said. "Very, very proud."