Richard Keith Miller

1932 - 2022

NORMAN, Oklahoma – Richard Keith Miller was born Aug. 6, 1932 in Urbana, Ohio and passed away after an extended illness Oct. 8, 2022 in Noble, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, F.D. and Vernon Mae Griffin Miller; sister Mary Patricia and her husband Richard E. Oberly; and grandson Zachary Joseph Miller.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sara B. Jackson Miller; daughter Cynthia Ann Miller, both of Norman, OK; and son Richard Kirt Miller of St. Paris, OH.

After high school graduation, he joined the United States Navy where he served from 1951-1955 in the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at the South Base in Norman, OK where he met his wife who made the best milkshakes at the soda fountain of Foster Bailey and Riley. After Norman, he was posted to the carrier USS Hancock CVA-19 where he welded on one of the first C-11 steam catapults. He finished his time in the Navy as MEW2. After the Navy, he moved his family back to his hometown of Urbana, OH.

Welding and metalworking was a big part of his life and rebuilding cars was his craft (both mechanical and body/fender work). His friends ran stock cars and he welded the roll frames and wide wheels while drag racing his '55 Chevy. He loved his cars so much he owned a 1957 Cay Coral Chevy Bel Aire 2 more times after driving it as a demonstrator while selling cars at Trenor Motors.

During a couple of summers he coached his son's Little League team for Howard Bond Paper Mill. Some of his interests included collecting coins and antique fruit jars. He also planted a large garden which his wife canned and neighbors enjoyed. One of the dogs picked her own strawberries while he was weeding which resulted in netting surrounding the strawberry patch. Most Sundays he could be found watching football, especially if the Dallas Cowboys were playing. He was a member of the Masonic Harmony Lodge #8 for more than 64 years.

He was especially proud of expanding his welding skills by achieving a certification from Hobart School of Welding and becoming certified to operate High Pressure Boilers from Clark State. During this time, he also became a locksmith. He worked for Drackett Inc. for 27 years as a Maintenance Supervisor, being one of their first employees and one of the last when the plant closed and he retired. Most of the years he worked second shift and we knew he was home when we smelled the popcorn from the microwave in the middle of the night.

They moved back to Norman 25 years ago to help care for aging family. In this retirement period, he shuttled cars for several local dealers. He said he got to see much of Oklahoma and surrounding states on many of the trips. He enjoyed the camaraderie and the connection to cars.

Richard requested cremation and no service. The family thanks Life Spring Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer's Association or your favorite charity in his memory.

The backyard garden is now shaded by two towering oaks and the borders are full of various clematis varieties and flowers he has moved to places where sunshine peeks through the trees.