Darrell "Ray" Miller

Ray Miller

     On September 6, 2024, Darrell “Ray” Miller passed away from cancer.

     He was born on May 28, 1958 to Darrell Allen Miller and ReNee Judd Miller. He was the eldest of a family that grew to four rambunctious boys.

     He was raised in Rupert and graduated from Minico High School in 1976. Later, he attended Idaho State University, earning a Certificate in Machining in 1979. While he loved working with metal, it remained a hobby as his work life took a different direction.

     After some years of working odd jobs in the Mini-Cassia area, he began his career in 1988 with the Idaho Transportation Department, moving his family first to Hagerman, and in 1992 to Gooding. He retired from ITD in 2017.

     While at Idaho State University, Ray met his wife, LaDean, and they married in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1978.

     Their family slowly grew to four daughters and one son: Candace (Kenneth) Jacobs, Patricia (Roger) Schmidt, Lisa (Joseph) Diaz, Jaclyn (Chet) Jackson, and Andrew Miller.

     While family life was often challenging, he did enjoy seeing his children grow and succeed in their own pursuits. After his children had grown, Ray became responsible for his ailing parents and his aunt. He put in many hours of service and care for each as they moved through their final years.

     Throughout his life, Ray had diverse interests and hobbies from car restoration and upholstery to tube radios and amplifiers, but his love of metal remained constant as he slowly built his backyard machine shop. He relished the smooth perfection of a finely created piece of machinery and would work for many hours to realize the beauty of each piece.

     Ray is survived by his 3 brothers, his wife of nearly 46 years, his 5 children, and his 12 grandchildren.

     On Friday, September 13, 2024, a graveside service for the immediate family will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, followed by a memorial luncheon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meetinghouse at 1228 Main Street at noon. Those who wish to visit with the family may meet them at the luncheon.    

     A private graveside service for the immediate family will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

     Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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