Raymond P. Miller, 81

Raymond Paul Miller, 81, passed away April 24, 2026, with his family by his side. He was born July 18, 1944, to C.O. and Eleanor Anne (Myers) Miller in Akron, Ohio. 

After C.O.'s passing in 1952, Eleanor moved the family, including Ray and his two brothers, Bill and Larry, to Azusa, Calif., where Ray completed high school at Azusa High, despite many days of truancy spent surfing. He then attended Citrus College.

Ray’s education was put on hold when he was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam as a helicopter mechanic on the UH-1 “Huey” and as a helicopter gunner. His service was marked by many heroic deeds, despite being labeled “too stupid to peel potatoes” during a battle of wills over KP duty. Despite this, he completed his bachelor’s degree in history at Cal Poly Pomona upon his return. 

In 1971, Ray followed his brothers and moved to Sandpoint after hearing about the area's beauty and outdoor opportunities. This is where he began his 30-year teaching career at Sandpoint High School. During those years, Ray earned his master’s degree in education and positively impacted countless lives. He also coached football, track and field, and wrestling for many years. 

In 1978, Ray married his wife, Betsy, at First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. They had two girls, Ann and Meridith, in the years that followed, and were very much in love throughout their 48 years together. 

Ray served on the Sandpoint City Council from 1982 to 2002. In 2002, he stepped in as mayor and served until 2008. During his service to the city, he oversaw many projects, including the groundbreaking for the bypass, which he worked to bring to fruition. 

Outside of his professional life, Ray was an avid outdoorsman. Having worked for the Forest Service during his early years in Sandpoint, he had a wealth of knowledge of the area’s lakes and forests. Ray and his brothers spent much of their free time exploring the remote mountain lakes, hunting and fishing. Known as Kaniksu Kid, Ray, along with his brothers, was a longtime member of the El Buscaderos, the local chapter of the Single Action Shooting Society.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Bill and Larry, his sister-in-law Barbara, and his niece Jennifer. He is greatly missed and still dearly loved by his wife, Betsy, his daughters, Ann and Meridith, his son-in-law, Bob, his grandchildren, Eleanor and Walter, and his nieces and nephews. 

The family will not be holding a memorial at this time. If you would like to remember Ray, spend some time in nature in any way that is possible or meaningful to you. The family appreciates your thoughts at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Miller Brothers Memorial Scholarship. Details will be published soon, including information on how to contribute.