John Ed Miller grew up playing basketball in Union City, where he led to team to three straight state tournaments and became one of the region’s most sought-after prospects. After two years mostly working as a backup for Vanderbilt, John Ed became a full-time starter in his junior season on West End. Joined by Snake Grace and Clyde Lee, John Ed helped lead Vanderbilt to a 19-win campaign as a junior. He was named all-conference. As a senior, he repeated as an all-sec performer, and the Commodore team that he captained made a huge leap. Vanderbilt posted a 24-4 record, won their first SEC championship and advanced to the NCAA’s Elite 8. John Ed’s biggest moments came in two wins over Kentucky. In 1964, he nailed a jumper with 2 seconds left to knock off the top-ranked Cats. The following season, he sank 2 free throws late to help Vandy clip Kentucky.
John Ed graduated Vanderbilt with a Civil Engineering degree and met the love of his life, his future wife, Sign-a. After graduation, he worked briefly for South Central Bell before he joined the United States Navy OCS program. When he left the program in 1969 as a Lieutenant, John Ed would go back to work for South Central Bell/BellSouth and would rise to Vice President of Corporate and External Affairs, the title he held upon his retirement. John Ed has served as President or Chairman of the Board on more than fifteen non-profit organizations but what he’s most proud of more so than the accomplishments and accolades are his family members and all the individuals he has worked with and played with.