Greg Miller could have done a lot of things when he completed his optometry education at the University of California, Berkeley.
But after bouncing around the East Bay practicing for several years, he realized that he wanted to settle down in a community that he knew he could stay permanently – venturing over the hill 26 years ago and laying down his roots into a place that he has truly made his home.
And he has also made his mark on his patients in the more the three decades that he’s been practicing.
On Friday Miller will be honored at the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Best of Manteca Awards as the Best Optometrist of 2009 – something that came as somewhat of a shock for the shy and humble doctor that is well known for his laid-back demeanor.
“When I first got the packet that said that I had been nominated, I thought that alone was nice enough for me,” Miller said. “Learning that the people of Manteca voted me the best in my field was a great honor and is something that I’m very thankful for.”
While opening a practice was definitely on his list of things to do when he arrived in Manteca nearly three decades ago, become a part of the quaint valley community in more ways than one was also a major aspect of his agenda.
Prior to taking a recent break to spend more time with his family, Miller was a 20-plus year member of the Manteca Lions Club, and remains a very active part of Manteca Presbyterian Church.
Miller and his wife Sharon have three daughters – one currently attending classes at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, one enrolled at UCLA, and another who is a sophomore at Sierra High School.
“I spend a lot of time raising my daughters and spending time with my family,” he said. “That’s a very big part of who I am, and fortunately Manteca has been a great place to raise a family.”
It’s the mark that he’s left on those who have left his office, however, that is why he’s being honored as the best in his field when the award ceremony begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m. inside of the showroom at Manteca Trailer and Camper on Vasconcellos Road.
“I feel honored that after 26 years in town that my patients have enjoyed coming back to see me and have been happy with the service that they have received,” Miller said. “To see that they remain loyal is very heartwarming, and having the opportunity to help them with their problems or prevent them from worsening is what makes me love what it is that I do everyday.”

To contact Jason Campbell, e-mail jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com, or call (209) 249-3544.