A. Ray Miller, 87
Dateline: Sidney, MT formerly of Richey
Funeral services for A. Ray Miller, 87 of Sidney formerly of Richey are at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 10, 2005, at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Richey with Pastor Vaughn White officiating. Casketbearers are: Lilburn Bahls, Floyd Neuman, Cliff Sowle, Harold Sax, Floyd Whiteman and Jonnie Johnston. The public is invited to the family services, Sunday, October 9, 2005, at 6:30 p.m., at the Sidney Lutheran Brethren Church in Sidney with Pastor Tom Bechtold officiating. Interment will be in the Richey Cemetery under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Sidney. All family and friends are welcome to any service.
A. Ray was born in a log cabin on the Bartley Homestead located on Redwater Creek, 20 miles south of Poplar on October 20, 1917 to Glen and Lillian (Dunn) Miller. Ray was the eldest of two sons (younger brother Warren). Raised on a farm four miles from his birthplace, he attended Lone Ridge Country School during his elementary years. He rode horse bareback the 2¼ miles to and from school everyday and became a skilled horseman as a youth. He attended Poplar High School in 1933, completed the last three years at Richey High School and graduated in 1937. He didn’t care much for school but appreciated the prodding of his parents to graduate and the employment opportunities it gave him.
He loved working on the family farm with animals until he was drafted in 1942 and served in the Medical Corps. His tour of duty took him to Texas, Africa and France; also served two years in Naples, Italy with the 15th European Medical General Laboratory where he aided research of new diseases and helped discover the first vaccine for hepatitis under the direction of Dr. Cornell. Ray was discharged in December 1946 and gladly returned home to the family farm. He met Bernice Graber of Richey and several months later were married on November 16, 1950. They were blessed with three children, Connie (Webb), Victor (Vic) and Leland (Lee).
In 1960 he moved his family to Sidney where Ray first worked construction and then became a surveyor for the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in 1967. In 1977 Ray transferred to Fort Benton, MT with the SCS until he retired in August 1980.
After retirement he and Bernice returned to Sidney and Bernice passed away in June 1981.
Some of Ray’s greatest accomplishments were organizer and announcer for the Valley Vaqueros (1966-1973), a skilled group of 20 young people performed drills on horseback and traveled throughout western North Dakota and eastern Montana. He also enjoyed being superintendent of the Richland County Fair and Rodeo in the 60’s and 70’s. His favorite past times were horses, reading, dancing and documenting family history. Ray loved people and treasured visits by family and friends as he noted them on his calendar. He was most proud of his children and extended family.
Ray moved to Richey and began correspondence with several female friends before he married Alyce Twente in February 1984. He was awarded Retired Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year for significant service to the community in 1988. Alyce passed away in August 1993.
By 1994, Ray reacquainted himself with long time friend Delpha Keeland and they made their home in Olympia, WA. They spent ten years caring for one another until Delpha passed away in April 2004. Ray immediately moved back to Sidney and relocated in August 2004 to Crestwood Inn.
Diagnosed with cancer in May 2005, he fought a valiant battle, always keeping a positive attitude. He passed away October 6, 2005 at the Sidney Extended Care.
Surviving family members are his children; Connie (Richard Roskam), of Roberts, MT, Victor “Vic” Miller of Salt Lake City, UT, and Leland “Lee” (Jill) Miller of Sidney, MT; grandchildren, Hank (Deb, great grand-daughter Jorja) Webb, Tara Jayne Swope, Kimberly (Leif) Halvorson, and Jaci Miller.