Richard Miller

Late Saturday evening, June 22, 2024, our world was turned completely upside down with the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather, Richard Cornelius Miller."Rich" was born on June 2, 1953, in Morristown, New Jersey to Cornelius Miller Jr. and Loretta (Davis) Miller. Rich grew up in Hackettstown, New Jersey next to the river where he learned to fish and hunt, which became his lifelong passion. He grew up with six siblings, of which he was the oldest.

Rich fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Catherine "Cathy" Bayard. They were married on January 6th, 1972, in Long Valley, New Jersey. Cathy was the love of his life and his whole world. She was his best friend and soul mate for over 52 years, as they journeyed through life together, always at each other's sides. They lived in New Jersey for the next eight years, where they welcomed two children son Jeff Miller and daughter Lori Miller. Rich worked in construction as a framer. The family packed up and moved to California in 1980, where Rich became a general contractor. Rich spent the next fifteen years with his family in California. In 1995, Rich and his wife Cathy set out on a new adventure and decided to leave California and purchased land in Terlton, Oklahoma where they resided until present day. He spent years working at Webco in Sand Springs, before finishing up his career working at Keystone State Park. He retired in August 2021.Rich loved nature and being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, floating in the pool enjoying the sunshine and teaching friends and family about his interests including cooking, gardening, construction, painting landscapes and human survival techniques. He believed in a hard day's work and was a spiritual man who always maintained a relationship with God, passing his faith to his family. In his retirement he also enjoyed learning about his Indian heritage, the Lenni Lenapi (Deleware Indian tribe). He had a soft spot for stray or hurt animals, frequently bringing them home to rescue or adopt as his own. He was the Grizzly Adams type, a little rough around the edges, but very loyal and loving underneath it all. His children looked at him as a warrior, quick to protect and defend his family. He was highly intelligent, a problem solver and very creative. Rich was playful and enjoyed rough housing with his son Jeff and his closest friends. The Miller house was the hangout place for all of the kids in the neighborhood, because of Rich's youthful nature and love for practical jokes. He was a man of few words, he hated talking on the phone and he could come across as grumpy, but those who knew him loved him. He was his daughter's "Papa Bear" and his son's "Pops". He enjoyed listening to classic rock and country music while relaxing. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren & great grandchildren, who brought him so much joy and pride. Rich was most happy spending his time at home, making memories with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Cornelius Miller Jr. and Loretta (Davis) Miller and his brother Gary Miller. Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years Catherine Miller; his son Jeff (Diana) Miller; his daughter Lori Miller; four grandchildren Cameryn (Nick) Carrillo, Branden Miller, Aaliyah Day, and Kayla Miller; three great grandchildren Mateo, Leo, and Naiomi; siblings Robert Miller, Michael Miller, Val Miller, Larry Miller and David Miller, Jeanne DeWald (Sister in Law) and lifelong friends who became family, Eric Monjack, Ryan & Amy Hedges and a host of friends and family.

Funeral service for Richard Miller will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 28, 2024, in the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Friday, June 28, 2024, in the Chapman-Black Chapel. Arrangements made by Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Oklahoma German Shepard Rescue on behalf of Richard MillerDonate - OK GSR (oklahomagsr.org)

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