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Richard Miller Obituary
He was born on July 4, 1927, on a farm in Union County, Miss. His parents were John Thomas Miller and Mattie Collins Miller.
He was the last of 10 paternal first cousins to die; he was the last male of 24 maternal first cousins to die. His three older brothers, John, George and Lawrence, and a sister, Birma Miller Goudelock, preceded him in death.
He graduated from the public school in Myrtle, Miss., and from Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss. He held master's degrees from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, and from the University of Mississippi.
An ordained Baptist minister, he spent most of his life in Alaska. He first came to Ketchikan in 1949 and, except when he was in school, lived the rest of his life in Alaska.
He married Opal Marie Hammond in 1955 in Rotan, Texas, and they made their first home in Kotzebue. Over the years they lived and he pastored churches in Ketchikan, Fairbanks, Kotzebue, Mountain Village, Emmonak, Sitka, and Anchorage for almost 30 years. In 1999, the Millers moved to Homer, but returned to live at Chester Park in Anchorage in early 2009. At one time in the Arctic he flew a light plane and had a dog team.
For almost 20 years, he taught in the public schools in Anchorage, mostly teaching Alaska history. He also taught Alaska history on the college level. He volunteered for many years teaching U.S. Government to immigrants who wanted to become U.S. citizens.
For nine years, he served as a volunteer chaplain with Hospice of Anchorage. He was a past president of the Alaska chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He preached many times for the Chinese Gospel Church of Anchorage over a 20-year period. He enjoyed playing the piano, painting landscapes with oils, genealogy, and sharing and writing about his family and his experiences for his five sons and six grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Opal; and by his five sons, their spouses and their children: Richard A. Jr. and Babette of Anchorage: Lindsey and Richard Hammond; Thomas Hammond and Barbara of Anchorage: Sam and Jack; Phillip J. and Carline of Cooper Landing: Crystal; George David and Kathryn of Grand Junction, Colo.: Kaitlyn; and John E. Miller of Grand Rapids, Minn. He is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces and great-nephews and -nieces.
He wrote his own obituary.
He will be buried in the downtown Anchorage cemetery. A favorite Bible verse of his was Proverbs 3:5-6. A memorial service with reception following will be held May 21, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Muldoon Road Baptist Church, 382 Muldoon Road. The family may be contacted at [email protected] or 227-6767.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Miller
Danny Griffin
May 9, 2025
My father often spoke highly of Richard. Danny Griffin
Charlotte Madison
May 9, 2022
Ron and I, as well as my parents, were blessed to know Dick and Opal. Their legacy will live on in the lives of heir children and in the countless lives they touched.
Charlotte Madison
June 10, 2011
Dearest Opal and family,
We were saddened to hear about Dick's death--how he will be missed by family and friends. We are thankful that he touched our lives. My beautiful print, hanging in my foyer, is a constant reminder of the two of you and that beautiful state that has been your home. We love you and are praying for God's gracious peace to fill your hearts.
Charlotte and Ron Madison, Huntsville, AL
Olga Oyoumick
May 24, 2011
Dear Opal and family,
What a wonderful man, Mr. Dick Miller was! We thank God for the blessing he was to so many people. He loved people and helped so many during his ministry here in Alaska. He was a good friend to my late father, Matthew Alexie, in Mt. Village. I have a clear memory of flying with Dick in his little plane from Mt. Village to Emmonak when I was a little girl, with one of my siblings and my parents. It was my first trip there and I remember meeting my mother, Mae's cousin and his family there for the 1st time. You and Dick always opened your home to my parents on their trips to ANC. A couple of fun memories my brother, Martin, shares about being in ANC with you is he says it was the first time he ever ate fresh bananas in dry cereal. He also remember thinking it was kind of funny that your boys would wash dishes. He thought it was a girls job (he was about 6-8 years old). Thank you for all you have done! I thank our Lord for the hope He gives us to be together again some day! Dick and Dad will be right there playing some heavenly instruments as we worship and praise our awesome God for all eternity! Until then, let us continue doing the Lord's work.
Love and blessings,
Olga/Joel Oyoumick in Unalakleet and also the Alexie family in Mt. Village
Hebrew 12:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
May 21, 2011
My sincerest condolences to Opal and family. Dick was a true southern gentleman (a direct quote from my dad, Ed Ward Sr.). I remember Dick well. His goodness made an impression on everyone he encountered.
Ed Ward Jr.
Tom Wade
May 21, 2011
Dear Opal,
As I read the obit and saw Dick's photo I felt again the loss of a dear friend beginning when you were in Sitka. I know this is a much greater loss for you. But thanks be to Christ we will all meet again with joy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you especially today during the Memorial Service in the celebration of his life.
Blessings and love,
May 20, 2011
Miss Opal -
It is with profound loss that I learned of Pastor's passing. Please trust that you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
With blessings,
Don Lambert
Danny Griffin
May 20, 2011
Dear Opal,
I am sorry to hear about the death of Dick. My father, Felton
Griffin, spoke of Dick highly over the years. I remember hearing dad
say many positive things at our dinner table about him.
In fact, I still have that table and at this very moment I am sitting
at it typing this letter. At this table many prayers were said for
our Alaskan missionaries and pastors by my mom and dad. They named
them and asked the Lord to bless their lives. I do recall the warm
and kind things he said about Richard Miller.
God bless you in this time of sorrow, and there is a prayer going up
for your family at this old Alaskan table.
Danny
Vernita Vestal
May 19, 2011
To Opal and family, we have lost a friend. We want to thank you all for sharing Pastor Miller with us all from NANA Region. For those of us who attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School during the time he was in Sitka, he made it easier for us being away from home. Taikuu. Love, Vernita and Harvey
Neil Gordon
May 16, 2011
Mrs Miller:
During the two brief visits I had with your husband, I found him to be a man of great stories, wit and intellect. I wish to have known him longer, but I will always remember the times I spent with him.
D. L. Lowrie
May 16, 2011
Opal and Family,
Your loved one made a difference for good and God in so many ways. Alice and I share a sense of loss, but offer a prayer for you.
D. L. and Alice Lowrie Lubbock, Texas
Ann Vance
May 16, 2011
My Uncle Dick was the finest person and the absolute best example of just what a man of God should be: He was genial, tolerant, loving, and loyal. Most of all, he was Godly- he lived what he believed. I respect him and his Daddy John T. Miller more than any two men I've ever had the privilege to know. I will miss him and cherish every minute I had with him.
May 16, 2011
To the Miller family and especially to Rick and Babette:
I am sad for you and your family but at the same time I know that your dad is in heaven and free of pain.
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time, and we are sorry that you have had to experience this great loss.
Much love,
The Unalaska Rankin family.
Sharon Padua
May 16, 2011
My dear friend Opal
We are so sorry to have heard when my sister called this morning to tell us about the passing of your dear sweet husband. I am so very happy and blessed to have met the two of you last year for the first time. I myself was going thru a terrible time with the diagnosing of my dad with stomach cancer. It was Richard that kept me positive, he cheered my father up and my mother. He is a very unconditional man of God. I praise the Lord that he is with his Heavenly Father now, i am sure the bells had tolled loudly when he entered the gates of Heaven for he is such an honor to know and his presence here on earth will be greatly missed. I surely appreciate your help and understanding and just the company of your friendship. My heart aches for you Opal. The painting that he so lovingly gave me will be appreciated more than the day that he offered it. I miss you dearly my friend Richard...till we meet again.
The Paduas Hillsboro, Oregon
Deb (Foote) Reeder
May 16, 2011
Opal & Family ~
We are deeply saddened to hear of Dick's passing. Please know that our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you all in your time of great sorrow.
Much love from our family to yours,
Michael & Sandra Studstill
May 16, 2011
Rick & Babette:
The loss of a beloved one is never easy, even though we know we will see them again one day soon Michael and I mourn with you at the loss, but also rejoice in the going Home of a mighty servant of God! The bells of heaven must have rung loudly when your Dad entered Heaven's gates! We pray for peace and comfort for you and your family that only God can give!!! We both know the pain of losing someone so close. May God wrap His loving arms around you and hold you tight!
We love you both!
Michael and Sandra Studstill
Linn & Harriet Harris
May 16, 2011
It has been nearly 42 years since Dick married Linn & Harriet Harris in a garden wedding in Marie Peterson's lovely yard in Sitka, Alaska. Over the years, we have been priveleged to hear from Dick via telephone nearly every month (if we had phones). Dick Miller had a vibrant personality that filled the room. His laughter was infectuous. He played the piano in a lively way, and sang with the piano to boot. He was an awesome piano player, and he and Opal sang some awesome duets. Dick used the piano to play, "Name that Tune," and his rendition of "Squaws Upon the Yukon," inserting Opal's name in just the right place, was always a big hit. He had a big personality, and we feel priviledged to call him a friend. We were counted as some of the strays and church friends who found a bed at the Miller's home on O'Malley and in Homer. We always felt welcome. Sitka Baptist was the first church Harriet was a member of, after becoming a Christian in 1968. Dick and Opal nurtured this "baby Christian." How we loved this man! No filling his shoes, but we have wonderful memories!
Maren Bennett
May 15, 2011
To Opal and family -
So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. I enjoyed meeting Richard while out walking the neighborhood. Appreciated his concern for my son, Michael. He never failed to ask about him.
Red & JoAnn Rowan
May 15, 2011
Dear Opal & family,
We are saddened to hear of Dick's passing to Glory and hurt for you who will miss him so, yet how we rejoice for him that he's now with the Lord whom he served so faithfully all those years. Bet there's been a time of rejoicing "over there" with all those who've gone on before, so many of whom He led to the Lord. His favorite verse is one of ours as well--TRUST with all your hearts, don't lean on what you understand, acknowledge Him in everything and HE WILL direct your way. What blessing! Dick has surely heard God's "well done." First knew of him before moving to AK in '64 through ROYAL SERVICE article. (like Dick, Red was first in AK in'49,w/AF) As we saw him over our 22 years there we knew he was God's man in God's place. Just his presence was comforting to those of us already at hosp. when Dick soon arrived the day Millie McC. was stricken. Our daughter & family are still in Anch. so we visit and keep up with things there. Baptist work in AK will always have a special place in our hearts. God bless you with His comfort & strength. In His love,
Red and JoAnn Rowan
May 15, 2011
To Opal,
We were alerted to Dick's death by Dan Boone in Homer. We knew from your Christmas note that he was ill, but hoped we would be able to visit you both while we are in Alaska in June. You both have been good friends since our time in Homer (1999-2000 & Spring 2003). We treasure our times together in Alaska and your visit to us in Norwich, NY several years ago. Also will treasure even more now the two pieces of Dick's art that we have. We will hold you in our prayers, Opal, during this difficult time.
Love, Tom and Betty Taylor
1 Doubleday Lane
Essex Junction, VT 05452
Dennis and Mary Holloway
May 15, 2011
To Opal and family
Know that you are in our hearts and thoughts always. Richard and Opal were considered out closests friends that we had in Homer. He will be dearly missed, He was such a magnificent man, loved to hear him tell of his days in the Yukon, and going by dog team to hold his sermons,, Loved his artwork and I learned a lot from him.
He was always there in time of need for anyone. wonderful person, we will miss him, but we know he is in good hands
Love Always Mary Ellen and Dennis
Lawrence Bishop
May 14, 2011
Opal, Richard, Tom, Phil, George and John.
So sad to hear of Pastor Miller's passing, but so glad for him to see Jesus face to face! Every time I think of Anchorage, I think of Pastor Miller and the old church on O'Malley Road. One of my favourite verses is II Timoth 2:15, which I memorized in Opal's Sunday School class when I was about 12. Every time I sing The Old Rugged Cross I think of Pastor Miller playing the piano, and wish he was singing it with me, praising God for the payment Christ made on the cross for all of us.
I am confident I will see Pastor Miller again. He was such a steady rock in my early maturing as a Christian. I have such fond memories of you all as my Anchorage church family. Thank you for your partnering with him in his work. It made a difference to me! May God bless you, as He only can, in these difficult days.
The Bishops, in New Brunswick, Canada
Lawrence, Sarah Jane, Jared, Maggie, Joel, Kyle and Katie
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