1942
A.
2021
A. Ray Miller
December 9, 1942 — December 24, 2021
Aubrey “Ray” Miller, of Independence, MO, a friend to many, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021. A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Monday, January 3rd. A funeral service will follow on Tuesday, January 4th at 10am, both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Interment with full military honors will take place at 12:00pm at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.
Ray was born on December 9, 1942 in Mobile, AL to Aubrey G. and Freda (Sellers) Miller. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1961 and was quickly recruited as an Aviation Mechanic for TWA in 1962. Not long after, in 1964, to avoid being drafted in the Army, Ray enlisted for service in the United States Navy. While stationed in Tennessee, where he received training as an Aviation Electronics Technician, he met lovely, young Juanita Sutton. They were married on January 28, 1967 and began a beautiful life together lasting 55 years. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Ray went back to work for TWA, which later became American Airlines. He retired in 2008 after a happy and very successful 46 years.
Through the course of his life, Ray also taught Electronics at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods, assisted with Electronic Media for the Community of Christ Auditorium, was active C.O.R. for Boy Scout Troop 382, and served alongside Juanita for J.A.M. with the Boys and Girls Club. Ray also was a member of Village Heights Community of Christ, serving as Elder and singing in the choir.
And of course, Ray is widely known throughout the Kansas City area as “Santa”. He spent over 30 years delighting kids from 1 to 92 with his rosy cheeks, snowy white beard, and twinkling eyes. Ray was the first real-bearded Santa at the Blue Ridge Mall and stayed there until its closing. He then went to Towne Center Plaza until 2019. He was featured on several Hallmark greeting cards, MO Lottery commercials, and national ads for Garmin and Cabela’s. Juanita would also join as Mrs. Claus and assist at different children’s events. Ray is a charter member of the Heart of America Santas. Christmas in Kansas City will just be a little different now without “Santa Ray”.
Ray leaves behind his beloved wife, Juanita; his sons, Michael Miller (Jenny Smith) of Waterford, MI; Brian Miller of Independence, MO and; his brother, Daniel Miller of Grain Valley, MO; his sister, Emily Applin of Mobile, AL; many nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Christine Carol; brother-in-law, James Applin; and sister-in-law, Sue Miller.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
Ray was born on December 9, 1942 in Mobile, AL to Aubrey G. and Freda (Sellers) Miller. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1961 and was quickly recruited as an Aviation Mechanic for TWA in 1962. Not long after, in 1964, to avoid being drafted in the Army, Ray enlisted for service in the United States Navy. While stationed in Tennessee, where he received training as an Aviation Electronics Technician, he met lovely, young Juanita Sutton. They were married on January 28, 1967 and began a beautiful life together lasting 55 years. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Ray went back to work for TWA, which later became American Airlines. He retired in 2008 after a happy and very successful 46 years.
Through the course of his life, Ray also taught Electronics at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods, assisted with Electronic Media for the Community of Christ Auditorium, was active C.O.R. for Boy Scout Troop 382, and served alongside Juanita for J.A.M. with the Boys and Girls Club. Ray also was a member of Village Heights Community of Christ, serving as Elder and singing in the choir.
And of course, Ray is widely known throughout the Kansas City area as “Santa”. He spent over 30 years delighting kids from 1 to 92 with his rosy cheeks, snowy white beard, and twinkling eyes. Ray was the first real-bearded Santa at the Blue Ridge Mall and stayed there until its closing. He then went to Towne Center Plaza until 2019. He was featured on several Hallmark greeting cards, MO Lottery commercials, and national ads for Garmin and Cabela’s. Juanita would also join as Mrs. Claus and assist at different children’s events. Ray is a charter member of the Heart of America Santas. Christmas in Kansas City will just be a little different now without “Santa Ray”.
Ray leaves behind his beloved wife, Juanita; his sons, Michael Miller (Jenny Smith) of Waterford, MI; Brian Miller of Independence, MO and; his brother, Daniel Miller of Grain Valley, MO; his sister, Emily Applin of Mobile, AL; many nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Christine Carol; brother-in-law, James Applin; and sister-in-law, Sue Miller.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of A. Ray Miller, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, January 3, 2022
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Speaks Suburban Chapel
Service
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Speaks Suburban Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 27
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors