Ronald Preston Miller of Colorado Springs, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away at St. Francis Hospital on Monday, October 28, 2024, after a long battle with non-alcoholic liver disease.
Ron was born in Marianna, Florida, on September 27, 1938, to Earl P. Miller and Myrtle L. Reynolds. He later traveled with his mother and stepfather, Carl Rivers, to several Air Force assignments in the US and abroad. Ron loved and was gifted in sports, academia, and music (he loved glee club). He lost his dear mother at the age of 17 and graduated from Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, in 1956.
Ron enlisted in the US Air Force September 1956 and wed his childhood sweetheart, Barbara Anne Langston, on October 27, 1956. Ron’s Air Force career began in SAC and then in SAGE. Ron excelled at training classes and was invited to teach/train at the NCO Academy at Hamilton AFB, California, and was then asked to help open and write curriculum for the new Senior NCO Academy at Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama (while still a MSgt!). His last career move was to the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where he began as a group Sergeant Major and spent the last 7.5 years in the USAF as the Cadet Wing Sergeant Major (his “dream job” and a top chief slot in the USAF). Notable accomplishments included helping facilitate the entry of female cadets, teaching drill instruction to the drum and bugle corps for public and sporting events, and providing counsel and guidance to so many cadets. Ron completed his BA and MBA degrees during his USAF career.
Ron began his second career in “high tech” as Safety Manager at INMOS Microelectronics and later as HR Manager (and Seymour Cray’s right-hand man) at Cray Computer Corporation and at SRC. Ron retired in 1999 and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren. He enjoyed attending their events and bringing them along to USAFA sporting events which he enjoyed for many years.
Ron lost Barbara in 2010 after 54 years of marriage. Ron met Shirley Ashcraft Brown and they fell in love and were married on March 22, 2014. They were blessed to enjoy 10 wonderful years together. They loved celebrating their “month-iversary,” understanding that marrying later in life would reduce the number of annual anniversaries they would be able to celebrate.
Ron is survived by his wife, Shirley Miller; half-brother, Leon Miller (Millie) of Dothan, Alabama; sister-in-law, Bernice Miller of Panama City, Florida; son, Stephen L. Miller (Michelle) of Fort Collins, Colorado; son, David A. (Kelly), and daughter, Laura A. Bervig (David) of Colorado Springs; grandchildren, Marin and Morgan Miller, Michael and Andrea Miller, Austin (Hannah) Bervig, and Raegan (Jacob) Maddox; step-grandchildren, Dustin Oldenburg (Lynnette, Sean, Adilyn, Logan) and Brandi Risley (Jalyn and Lily). Ron was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara; parents, Earl and Myrtle; brothers, Jim and Bruce; and half-brothers, Donny and Glenn.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, both at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Following the service, Ron will be laid to rest at 2:00 p.m. at the USAFA Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Eisenhower Golf Club at USAFA directly following the graveside service.
Margie Harper
8 Nov 2024Shirley, you and Ron maximized your late-in-life love story, not only by your monthly anniversary celebrations, but also by traveling as often as possible and making every little thing SPECTACULAR. You made Ron a very happy man, and I’m so grateful to God that I was finally able to meet him late last year after hearing you sing his praises for so long. May God hold you close while your heart heals. 🙏🏼♥️✝️
Ken Heddings
8 Nov 2024My deepest sympathy to you Shirley and David and the rest of the family. I will miss Ron’s friendship very much.
Sherri Caywood
9 Nov 2024I am so thankful for the happy and loving marriage my Mom, Shirley, and Ron had together. They both were a blessing to eachother.
Patrick Jenkins
10 Nov 2024My condolences to Ron’s family. I knew Ron during his career at INMOS and he was highly respected and capable. I am glad to have met Ron in his second career once he retired from the Air Force.
Robin Vrvilo
11 Nov 2024My heart goes out to you Aunt Shirley. I’m so glad you and Ron had 10 beautiful years together. Ron was such a friendly, kind and thoughtful man. I will always cherish the memories of being at your wedding and seeing you two dance together.
Steve Young
11 Nov 2024The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for CMSgt Miller’s distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or raobuckley@gmail.com. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
Carolyn Evans
13 Nov 2024Bill and I are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing and our hearts are with you always especially today
I hope to get out to see you soon with Cathleen
I am so glad you have you and Ron’s family surrounding you and wish I could be there too but Bill doesn’t travel anymore
Again we are so sorry but am glad you had these last 10 years together
Love you always Sis
Joy Buss
14 Nov 2024Aunt Shirley, Nate and I had the privilege to meet Uncle Ron and witness his love for you and for his family. We can rejoice knowing he is finally home but he will be missed this side of heaven. We love you and praying that He will strengthen you during this time with His hope and love!!
Carolyn Evans
15 Nov 2024Bill and I are so sorry to hear of your great loss
We are glad for the happy 10 years you had together and hope that those memories will comfort you in the years to come
Hope this 4th post goes through
Your friends of 60 years Bill and Carolyn