Ray Miller

Earl Raymond “Ray” Miller, of McCook, Nebraska began his final journey from his earthly home to his heavenly home on September 20, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife, Karen, and family.

Ray was born on the family farm in Hitchcock County on April 15, 1946 to Paul and Louise Miller. Ray grew up helping on the farm with his dad and grandfather, Earl Ballard. He graduated from Stratton High School in 1964 and furthered his education at Goodland Vocational Technical College, graduating in 1966 with a diesel mechanics degree. That summer he met the love of his life, Karen (Wegener) Miller, in McCook as Karen was working at Hested’s Coffee Shop alongside his mother. He enjoyed a four year courtship with Karen as she pursued her teaching degree. On June 14th, 1970, they were married in McCook. They were lucky to have 52 years together pursing so many mutual activities together.

Ray was a driver for UPS for 28 years, driving the highland route through Maywood, Curtis and over to Eustis and Farnam. During this time, they started a family and lived in the McCook area where they were blessed with two sons born in McCook and five grandchildren that lived close to them along the Republican River south of Perry. Ray’s family meant the world to him. Spending time hunting with his sons and grandkids brought him so much joy. He also managed the McCook Legion baseball program for seven years when his sons were playing. He loved playing church league softball with his sons and vowed to play until the year he turned 60 as well as playing alongside his wife on a coed slow pitch team. He was an avid golfer and bowler he recorded the first perfect 300 game at Willow Lanes. His bowling team participated in several National Bowling Tournaments, and he received the E.F. “Del” Deleplancque Award for outstanding bowler in 2010.  He had two hole-in-ones at Heritage Hills golf course in McCook enjoying playing on the Men’s League and with his wife during the week. He tried to attend all sporting and school activities of his sons and grandkids making uncountable trips to out of town events as well as ones in McCook and Bartley. One of his favorite activities was driving his 50th Anniversary Corvette with his grandkids, of course he had to show them how fast it could go! They also were forced to listen to Elvis songs as they traveled with him. The grandkids were allowed to drive his prized car to their proms and went to parades and threw out candy to the crowds at Imperial and the last time in Culbertson this year. After retiring from UPS. He and Karen spent summers taking the grandkids on summertime vacations to Branson and Steamboat Springs. During the rest of the year he and Karen took many trips to places across the nation, but his favorite spots to go usually had a casino somewhere nearby as he enjoyed winning while Karen was usually losing. He was an avid Husker fan, attending many football games in Lincoln form 1968-2000, some of which were with his beloved grandson.

Ray was baptized at McCook Christian Church in the 1970’s and until his health started to fail was a faithful member attending church with his family for over 50 years. His church family was a blessing to him. He volunteered as an usher for many years.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Charles and Bertha Wegener, brother in law Wayne Wegener, nephews Jim McConville and Stryder Wegener.

He is survived by his beloved wife Karen Miller of McCook, sons Brian Miller and David (Jessica) Miller, all of McCook, grandchildren Austin (Monica) Miller, Jaydenn (fiancé Rusty), Raylynn, Kendall and Josilin, and sister Pat McConville, brothers-in-law Jim Wegener and Ron (Sherry) Wegener, and adoptive brother in law Donald (Melissa) Wegener, adoptive sisters in law Rhonda (Jaimie) Blackstone and Tina Wegener along with other nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation, with family present to greet friends, will be held from 5 to 7pm on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Monday, September 26, 2022 at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates and Pastor Kyle Dellevoet officiating. The family will be wearing their Husker gear and invites friends to do so also in honor of Ray's great love of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are suggested to either McCook Christian Church, 507 West B St, McCook NE 69001 or Community Hospital Health Foundation,
PO Box 1328, McCook NE 69001.