Francis Samuel (Sam) Millard, Jr., 83, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on July 19, 2024, following an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sammy Sue Hodges Millard, of Knoxville, Tennessee, on March 27, 1988.
Born March 18, 1941, Sam was the son of Francis Samuel Millard and Evelyn Elizabeth Miller Millard, and brother of Anne Elizabeth Millard Axton of Louisville, Kentucky (d. September 2010), father of Laura Kristen Millard Ladd, Matthew Samuel Millard (Anna), and John Francis Millard (Allison); and loving grandfather to Jonathan Clayton Ladd (24); Kyle Morgan Ladd (21), Rebecca Catherine Brown (27), Jo Anakin Brown (24), Aaron Matthew Millard (21), Samuel Braden Millard (19), Emma Katherine Millard (16), and Madeline Hodges Millard (14), as well as favorite uncle of several nieces and nephews.
He attended City High School and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and was a lifelong fan of the Tennessee Volunteers. Sam worked in sales for the majority of his professional career, retiring as owner of Scenic Land Printing and Sales in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Sam was an active member of Brainerd United Methodist Church for 56 years, a Sunday School teacher and member of the Kingsbury Class, and a passionate supporter of the music program, including many years in the BUMC choir, as well as a church volunteer.
Raised on the lake in Chattanooga, Sam enjoyed the outdoors with an affinity towards camping and water sports, in particular boating and fishing, and was an accomplished water skier and fly fisherman. His love for the water was matched by an avid appreciation for sports cars. Active throughout his life, Sam played tennis and cycled regularly, even completing the challenging Three Mountain Three State Century Ride in his 60s with his sons, also fellow cyclists.
Music was a defining passion in his life, from singing to playing the guitar. He had a formidable music collection ranging from classical to folk to pop, and owned several classical Martin guitars, now in the hands of his grandchildren.
His faith, family and friends were the focus of his life, and he is loved and missed by many.
A memorial service will be held at Brainerd United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN on Saturday, July 27th. Visitation will take place at 11 a.m in the Fellowship Hall, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the Millard family requests that memorial donations be made in Sam or Sammy’s honor to the American Cancer Society.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com
Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel has been entrusted with his arrangements.
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