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Captain Raleigh Miller, Jr., resident of Irving, Texas for 59 years, died May 24, 2016. Born February 14, 1928, the 2nd of 3 children, to Raleigh and Roxie Miller of Colp, Illinois. After growing up in Colp and graduating from Herrin High School (IL) in 1945 at age 17, he was sworn into the US Navy the day Japan surrendered during World War II. Raleigh served his country for 8 years on active duty as a pilot. During his education at Southern Illinois University he remained active in the USNR and at NAS Dallas for 30 years. He was a Navy Captain and was the Commanding Officer of squadron VR53. Raleigh accepted the Noel Davis Trophy for Fleet Tactical Support Squadron 53, which is the highest honor that can be awarded in the USNR on behalf of his squadron. The squadron was also awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award. Raleigh retired in 1988. In civilian life, Raleigh was pilot for American Airlines for 35 years. He was a superintendent of flying and a check airman, and only one of four pilots who flew broken airplanes from all over the world back to American Airlines Maintenance base in Tulsa, OK. In 1960, he was honored to fly President Richard M. Nixon on the presidential campaign against President Kennedy with the American Airlines Charter. Raleigh was in attendance at all the first Presidential debates ever televised in the country. He was a member of the Allied Pilots Association, the Grey Eagles and was a respected elder at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Irving. In his free time, after retiring, Raleigh spent most of his time in Winter Park, Colorado where he and wife Nancy, owned a home. An avid golfer, expert skier and hunter, he enjoyed spending his time with their children and grandchildren skiing, golfing and teaching them how to love mountain life. Entertaining friends and family was his forte. He will be forever missed and left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Nancy Ann Russell Miller and their children Brian S. Miller and wife Susan (Stotlar) of Marion, IL, Carrie L. Miller Harnett and husband F. Patrick of Adkins, TX, N. Ellen Miller Rice and husband D. Keith of Basalt, CO; grandsons Jeffrey S. Miller and wife Adrianne (Eller) of Oakland, MI; USAF Major Phillip P. Harnett and wife Sunny (Trial) of Almagorda, NM, Bradley B. Miller and wife Krystina (Coleman) of Carbondale, CO along with great grandchildren McKinley, Ryder, Easton and Ellie of Oakland, MI, Bowie Harnett of Almagorda, NM, Parker Miller of Carbondale, CO; brother Ralph D. Miller and wife Mary (Williams) of Wentzville, MO; brother-in-laws Ronald R. Russell of Olathe, KS and Jerry B. Russell and wife Barbara J. (Arndt) of Neenah, WI; nieces and nephews David Brafford and wife Sheryl of Orange Park, FL, Darla Brafford of Penn Valley, CA, Mark Miller of Wentzville, MO, Annette Miller Schroeder and Dr. Roger of Jerseyville, IL, Ronald C. Russell of Indianapolis, IN, Sandra L. Russell of Charlotte, NC, Robin Russell Humphreys and husband Joseph of Aurora, CO; special cousin Ibbie Jean Boren and husband Tom of Herrin, IL; longtime family friend Linda Phillips of Columbus, GA along with many cousins, VR53 veteran friends and Dallas area friends. Raleigh is preceded in death by sister Evelyn M. Miller Brafford Hampton and his parents. Committal Service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 6, 2016 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas followed by a Memorial Service to celebrate a life well lived at 3:00 PM at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church in Irving with Dr. Reverend Diane Baldwin officiating. Raleigh’s family requests memorial donations in his memory to Homes for Heroes at 8564 Katy Freeway S. 134, Houston, TX 77024, Woodhaven Presbyterian Church at 3650 N. O’Connor Road in Irving, TX, 75062 or Pets Alive Dallas 1700 Preston Road Suite 660 #263 Dallas, TX, 75230.

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