Raymond Miller

Raymond Carl Miller, 88, passed away from natural causes on September 20, 2021, in St. George, Utah.  Ray was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 4, 1932, to John T. and Norma L. Miller.

Ray graduated from Hazel Park High School in January of 1951 and married Joan L. Staley on July 12, 1952, in Highland Park, Michigan. Later that same year, Ray was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Maryland.  As a Sergeant, he was RADAR crew chief of the 70th Battalion in defense of Washington, D.C.

Ray was discharged from the army in 1954 and returned to Hazel Park where he served as postal clerk and letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service until February of 1956.  Ray left the postal service that year to pursue his true calling of becoming a police officer when the city of Clawson hired him as a patrolman.  In 1961, Ray achieved the rank of Sergeant and served in that capacity until 1984 when he ascended to the position of Chief.  Ray served the city of Clawson as Chief of Police until his retirement in December 1993.  As a testament to his law enforcement expertise, Ray was invited to attend the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, from which he graduated in June 1975.

In addition to dedicating his career to the city of Clawson, Ray also enjoyed serving the community in other ways.  If you were a child in Clawson who played sports during the mid-1960’s to mid-1970’s, chances are Ray was your little-league coach for many of those seasons. Ray also spent countless years running up and down football fields and basketball courts officiating high school games throughout Clawson and the surrounding area.

After his retirement, Ray and Joan relocated to St. George, Utah where they bought a piece of property and lived in a trailer while overseeing the construction of their new home. Once settled in, Ray devoted time to his hobbies of photography, woodworking, lawn bowling and computers. He and Joan also loved to travel. They drove their motor home back to Michigan each summer to see family and friends, and, of course, visited many National Parks and sights along the way.

Education never ceased to be important in Ray’s life. In 1980, he graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.  While living in Utah, Ray put this degree to use teaching Criminal Justice classes as an Assistant Professor at Dixie College in St. George in 1997 and 1998.

During his long life and career, Ray belonged to many service and professional organizations. Most notable among these were the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the South East Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oakland County (Michigan) Chiefs of Police Association, the F.B.I. National Academy Associates, the Oakland County Emergency Management Coordinators Association, the Oakland County Traffic Safety Association, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, and the Clawson Rotary Club where he was a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow.

Ray was predeceased in life by his parents and wife of 66 years, Joan, who passed away in November 2018 from Alzheimer’s Disease.  Ray spent the last 7 years of her life at her side caring for her at home while she courageously battled the disease.

Ray is survived by his brother, Clyde A. Miller (Nancy) Macomb, Michigan.  Ray leaves behind three sons and one daughter: Kerry S. Miller (Cynthia) Colorado Springs, Colorado; Robert J. Miller, Desert Hot Springs, California; Donald R. Miller (Cheryl), St. George, Utah; and Janet L. Pittl, Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada.  Ray also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.  Rest in peace, Ray.