Raymond A. Miller

Raymond Albert Miller, age 63, unexpectedly passed away in his sleep the morning of January 30, 2013. He was born to Albert and Veronica (Wuckowitsch) Miller in Garnett, KS on November 9, 1948. He grew up on a farm between Garnett and Scipio where his parents and siblings (Ethel, Charlie, Will and Eileen) attended St. Boniface Church and Scipio Grade School. He attended Garnett High School and "since the lockers were assigned alphabetically and the only thing between K and M was the letter L" he met Deborah Ann Kent, Daughter of Jerry and Rosa Lee Kent of Garnett, KS and on September 27, 1969 they were married. After studying at Salina Area Technical College and KU, Ray and Deb moved to Paola, K S while Raymond worked at BEHM in Osawatomie as a welder and Deb worked at the Paola Police Department as a meter maid. On April 11, 1972 Anna Marie Miller (Ryan) was born and on October 25, 1974 Alex Vincent Miller was born. The family attended Holy Trinity Church in Paola and the kids went to Holy Trinity School and Paola High School. Raymond "Ray" Miller fixed things. What he couldn"t fix, he prayed about. He was creative and practical. His work is visible throughout Paola: on the square, the gazebo railing; outside the courthouse, the handrail and on the KC Country Club Plaza, the Salvation Army kettle. Raymond started his own welding shop at his home and it soon grew into Miller Welding in Paola. He subsequently worked for Blue Valley Industries, Hughes Machinery, Power Plant Equipment and FCX Performance. He loved to be outside: fishing, hunting, walking, gardening, sitting. He loved his family and cherished his wife, kids and grandkids. He liked people and was genuinely interested in their families and in their lives. His last project was to help his mother-in-law, Rosa Lee Kent, move to Paola to be closer. Thanks to the help of his sister-in-law and her husband, Jeree Lee and Terry Burnett, the house was finished before he died and she moved in two days after his death. He is preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother Robert Joseph Miller; sister Ethel Sobba; sister-in-law Carol Miller; brother-in-law Charlie Bowling; brother-in-law Vince Kent, father-in-law Jerry Kent. He is survived by his wife Deb and their children Anna and Jim Ryan and their children Conner Kent and Brennan James of Emporia; Alex and Angie Miller and their children Aidan Ray and Miranda Louise of Decatur, IL. Also surviving are Charlie Miller, Ron Sobba and Carol Kent of Garnett, Eileen Bowling of Ottawa, Will and Patty Miller of Mission. Raymond would have liked, if you so choose, for you to make a contribution to the cause of your choice or to the Holy Trinity Endowment Fund. To share a memory of Raymond or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Monday, February 04, 2013 at 10:30 AM Visitation: Sunday, February 03, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM