Raymond Adam Miller, Jr.

Raymond Adam Miller, Jr. passed away on September 14th, 2023, after a brief hospitalization. Ray Miller was born on 5-5-1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Raymond Sr. and Georgiana Miller. The family moved to Tulsa when Ray was a freshman in high school, and he quickly became a proud Oklahoma boy. He graduated from Cascia Hall Preparatory School and attended the University of Notre Dame on scholarship, where he would meet his wife, Christine "Chris" Mishler, from South Bend, Indiana. Ray married Chris on August 23, 1958, before shipping out to Frankfurt, Germany, to serve in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Two of his children, Raymond III and Connie, were born there. The family moved back to Tulsa in 1962, where Ray worked a day job and managed a liquor store on the west side. Their two youngest children, Melanie and Vincent, joined the family soon after. He went to work for Lloyd Fleming of Fleming Building Company in 1965 as a temporary employee, with 90 days to prove he could produce- or be released. Not only did Ray prove himself, he bought the company some years later. At its height, Fleming had 80 employees with projects across the United States. Ray was an avid sports fan, and the whole family knew not to disturb him when a game was on. He loved four teams most of all: the Cascia Hall Commandos (he was the voice of Cascia football for many years), Notre Dame's Fighting Irish, the Green Bay Packers (his youngest son was named after Vince Lombardi), and the St. Louis Cardinals (he spent hours in the station wagon listening to games). Ray loved to serve his community, his city, and his church. He loved his Catholic faith, spending many masses at St. Rita's Chapel, where the Mass was under 45 minutes. He was generous to a fault and always believed in the best in others. Ray would often joke that it was his face on the $50 bill, not Ulysses S. Grant, right before he slipped you one with a wink and a handshake. Ray was a tireless worker and a leader who served his people first. He was a man who let you know where you stood with him. He gave everything of himself to family, friends, and strangers and will be missed by so many. The next time you see a $50 bill, think of Ray Miller. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Christine Miller; their children: Raymond Miller III (Ann), Connie Whitworth (Tom), Melanie Brassey (Brian), Vincent Miller; grandchildren: Adam Whitworth, Thomas Whitworth, Victoria Whitworth, Sarah Cox, Teddy Meza, Zack Meza, Malia Miller, and Josie Miller; great-granddaughter Tuuli Porter; his brother George and wife Kathy Miller of Tulsa, brother John Miller and wife Maria of Huntsville, AL, and sister Mary Miller of MN. He was predeceased by his sister, Sheila Bradley. Visitation will be from 10 AM until 5 PM on Friday, September 22nd, at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 14th and South Boulder Avenue. A Rosary service will be Friday, September 22nd, at 7 PM, and Funeral Mass will be Saturday, September 23rd, at 10 AM. Both services will be at St. Rita's Chapel at Cascia Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Ray's favorite charity, the Gatesway Foundation, for which he was a proud board member for many years. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Raymond Adam Miller, Jr.

May 5, 1935 - September 14, 2023