Raymond Miller

Raymond Eugene Miller, of Baytown, TX, passed peacefully from this life into the Lord’s presence on March 17, 2012, at the age of 81. His quick mind and resilient spirit will be greatly missed, and those who knew him most intimately will cherish the memories of a man determined to live with integrity and love his family well.

Raymond, who was born on December 9, 1930, in Boise, ID, to Joseph Freeman Miller and Dorothy Lucille (Miller) Wright, met the challenges of life with the tools right for the job at hand. There was nothing he couldn’t fix—or at least try to fix, according to his wife of 56 years, Marion Adams Miller. Doing his best in all things extended to relationships as well, and the lives of his wife and children are rich because of his efforts as husband and father.

Sitting still didn’t come naturally; tinkering was his passion. He built a 14-ft. runabout from a Sears boat kit, an 8-ft. cab-over camper, a 12 x 14 ft. woodworking shed, and greenhouse; fashioned marionette puppets and wood toys; constructed and flew model planes; and loved learning about the latest electronic gadgets. He was the family archivist and communications specialist, serving up the address list each year and capturing family history in photos stored on flash drives, compiling extensive family newsletters to email, and even establishing a Facebook page to facilitate communication. Raymond’s industriousness, playfulness with his grandchildren, family vacations in the mountains, and famous Bisquick pancakes are a quick sampling of family remembrances.

He served his country as a Marine during the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of Sergeant before discharge. Later on, his expertise in electrical engineering and electronics was applied in both the aeronautics and chemical industry. At General Dynamics in Fort Worth, TX, he worked in B-58 and F-111 flight instrumentation groups as an Aerosystems Engineer. The latter part of his professional career was spent in Exxon’s Baytown Olefins Plant, primarily in electronics and computing-related positions. As Computer Systems Engineering Analyst, he was part of a team that introduced the first 30 PCs to the plant in 1982, and was involved in installing, training, creating and tailoring applications for personnel. By his retirement in 1994, the number of personal computers on site had reached 540.

Raymond is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Freeman Miller and Dorothy Lucille (Miller) Wright, and his great-granddaughter, Ava Marie Welden. He is survived by his loving wife, Marion Adams Miller; four children, Jody (David) Lane, of Fulshear, TX; Marilee (Dave) Beaupre, of Orange Park, FL; Curtis (Christine) Miller, of Leander, TX; and Sherri (Darick) Steele, of Houston, TX; and eleven grandchildren, Rachel, Sage, Keanan, and Noah Lane; Diana (Eric) Welden and Mitchell Clifton; Joshua, Peyton, and Chloe Miller; Alexis and Trystan Steele; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Claire Welden; sister, Brenda (Joe) Kirkland, of Glenrock, WY; sister-in-law, Cecelia (Bob) Davis, of Midland, TX; four nephews and nieces, Khris (Tom) O’Grady and Wes Davis, and Todd Thessen and Tracie Morris; family member Gary Clifton, of Middleburg, FL; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Friends and family are invited to join a celebration of Raymond’s life on Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 11 AM – 12 noon, at Highlands United Methodist Church, 107 W Houston St, Highlands, TX. Pastor Susan Grittman will lead the memorial service. Reception immediately follows in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Raymond can be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (Amarillo, TX) www.calfarley.org or to Highlands United Methodist Building Fund.