1932
Ralph
2019
Ralph E Miller
June 27, 1932 — March 26, 2019
Ralph E Miller
1932 - 2019
Gastonia – Ralph E Miller, 86, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2019 at the Robin Johnson House.
Ralph was born June 27, 1932 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, to the late Ralph Monroe and Jennie Carroll Miller. He attended the local schools in Bloomsburg, graduating from Bloomsburg High School in June 1950, just prior to the start of hostilities in Korea.
While he was Ralph and Jennie's only child, he had several cousins to whom he was very close, Tom and Bill Johnson of Bloomsburg, who were more brothers than first cousins.
During his high school years, he marched in the Bloomsburg High Marching Band as a drummer. After the football team was started in Charlotte, he was known for telling folks he played for the Panthers, as that was the mascot for Bloomsburg High School. Ralph's humor was "Dad" humor on another level.
Ralph was drafted into the Army in 1953, attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was stationed at Fort Bragg as a Military Police officer. This would prove to be prophetic. While on leave, he met the love of his life, Janet Geraldine Keziah, at the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach in 1953. They were married on August 29, 1954. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1955 and he and Jane moved to Bloomsburg.
Ralph worked for McGee Carpet Company as a graphic designer and as an auxiliary on the Bloomsburg Police Department. He soon decided to become a full-time police officer and left the carpet mill.
Ralph and Jane moved to Gastonia to be near Jane's parents in early 1957, and Ralph joined the Gastonia City Police. He served on the Gastonia City Police until the Gaston County Police were formed in July 1957. Ralph joined the County (The Rurals as they were known) and policed with the County until leaving to become the Chief of Police Mount Holly NC. He spent two years as Chief in Mount Holly, and upon leaving, returned to his beloved Gaston County Police.
He served in multiple roles at the County; Sergeant in Detectives, Patrol Sergeant and most prolific being his time as the Head of the Vice Department. Ralph had a tireless work ethic and a driven desire to serve the people of Gaston County. During his time with the County Police, he and other officers created and ran a Boy Scout Troop that was well known for camping every month during the two short years of the Troop's existence.
After leaving the County Police in 1980, Ralph joined the Gaston County Sheriff's Department, working under the late C.L. "Sarge" Waldrop. Ralph retired from Law Enforcement in June 1983 after 30+ years of service.
In addition to his law enforcement resume, Ralph was an artist and sign painter. He opened Miller Art and Design, his one-man sign shop, after retiring from law enforcement.
He ran the sign shop in a building on South York Street until 1992, when he moved the sign business to his home. In his home hangs many paintings he created over his artist career.
Ralph was active in the American Legion lodge in Bessemer City. He served on the Gaston County Honor Guard with the Legion and spoke several times during the Memorial Day events in Gaston County. He also served as the Chaplin of the Legion post for a time. With the Lions Club, he served in several roles, culminating with being club President. He brought his work ethic to both his American Legion and Lions' commitments, working hard to offer the best he could to both organizations.
Ralph and Jane enjoyed 58 years together, before Jane was called home on June 10, 2012. Ralph continued to live at their home until being summoned to his heavenly home on March 26, 2019.
He is survived by his and Jane's son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Roxie Miller of Stanley, and his and Jane's precious grandchildren, Brady and Emily Miller. Ralph and Jane were very involved grandparents and offered love and encouragement as only grandparents can.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., Thursday, March 28th at McAdenville Baptist Church, 192 Main Street, McAdenville, NC.
Graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m., Gaston Memorial Park, Masonic 1 D Section with Reverend Walt Griggs officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks any memorials be made to McAdenville Baptist Church, Gaston Hospice, The Lions Club, or the American Legion.
Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com ;
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the Miller family.
1932 - 2019
Gastonia – Ralph E Miller, 86, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2019 at the Robin Johnson House.
Ralph was born June 27, 1932 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, to the late Ralph Monroe and Jennie Carroll Miller. He attended the local schools in Bloomsburg, graduating from Bloomsburg High School in June 1950, just prior to the start of hostilities in Korea.
While he was Ralph and Jennie's only child, he had several cousins to whom he was very close, Tom and Bill Johnson of Bloomsburg, who were more brothers than first cousins.
During his high school years, he marched in the Bloomsburg High Marching Band as a drummer. After the football team was started in Charlotte, he was known for telling folks he played for the Panthers, as that was the mascot for Bloomsburg High School. Ralph's humor was "Dad" humor on another level.
Ralph was drafted into the Army in 1953, attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was stationed at Fort Bragg as a Military Police officer. This would prove to be prophetic. While on leave, he met the love of his life, Janet Geraldine Keziah, at the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach in 1953. They were married on August 29, 1954. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1955 and he and Jane moved to Bloomsburg.
Ralph worked for McGee Carpet Company as a graphic designer and as an auxiliary on the Bloomsburg Police Department. He soon decided to become a full-time police officer and left the carpet mill.
Ralph and Jane moved to Gastonia to be near Jane's parents in early 1957, and Ralph joined the Gastonia City Police. He served on the Gastonia City Police until the Gaston County Police were formed in July 1957. Ralph joined the County (The Rurals as they were known) and policed with the County until leaving to become the Chief of Police Mount Holly NC. He spent two years as Chief in Mount Holly, and upon leaving, returned to his beloved Gaston County Police.
He served in multiple roles at the County; Sergeant in Detectives, Patrol Sergeant and most prolific being his time as the Head of the Vice Department. Ralph had a tireless work ethic and a driven desire to serve the people of Gaston County. During his time with the County Police, he and other officers created and ran a Boy Scout Troop that was well known for camping every month during the two short years of the Troop's existence.
After leaving the County Police in 1980, Ralph joined the Gaston County Sheriff's Department, working under the late C.L. "Sarge" Waldrop. Ralph retired from Law Enforcement in June 1983 after 30+ years of service.
In addition to his law enforcement resume, Ralph was an artist and sign painter. He opened Miller Art and Design, his one-man sign shop, after retiring from law enforcement.
He ran the sign shop in a building on South York Street until 1992, when he moved the sign business to his home. In his home hangs many paintings he created over his artist career.
Ralph was active in the American Legion lodge in Bessemer City. He served on the Gaston County Honor Guard with the Legion and spoke several times during the Memorial Day events in Gaston County. He also served as the Chaplin of the Legion post for a time. With the Lions Club, he served in several roles, culminating with being club President. He brought his work ethic to both his American Legion and Lions' commitments, working hard to offer the best he could to both organizations.
Ralph and Jane enjoyed 58 years together, before Jane was called home on June 10, 2012. Ralph continued to live at their home until being summoned to his heavenly home on March 26, 2019.
He is survived by his and Jane's son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Roxie Miller of Stanley, and his and Jane's precious grandchildren, Brady and Emily Miller. Ralph and Jane were very involved grandparents and offered love and encouragement as only grandparents can.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., Thursday, March 28th at McAdenville Baptist Church, 192 Main Street, McAdenville, NC.
Graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m., Gaston Memorial Park, Masonic 1 D Section with Reverend Walt Griggs officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks any memorials be made to McAdenville Baptist Church, Gaston Hospice, The Lions Club, or the American Legion.
Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com ;
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the Miller family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph E Miller, please visit our flower store.
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