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To know Ralph was to love him. His wonderful sense of humor and larger than life personality endeared him to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus, his wife, his family, and his precious Church Family. The New Beginnings Church was the first and only congregation where he always felt welcome. Ralph gave his heart to Jesus on Mother’s Day, 2004 so it was only fitting that God would call him home on Mother’s Day 2023. We who knew him best and his church family had the privilege of watching him grow in his relationship with Jesus these last 19 years.
Ralph was born March 14, 1944 to Clyde Anderson Miller and Lucille Gertrude Howard Miller in Kansas City, MO. The family lived in an area of Kansas City known as Dog Patch, in a tent, until his father and his uncles could build a house. Ralph had many adventures while living there. One of his favorite memories was receiving his first bicycle which he promptly dismantled just so he could put it back together again. That began his lifelong fascination with all things mechanical.
During his working career, he held a variety of jobs. His early work life included gas station attendant, a job that paid enough for him to buy his first car, hardware store manager, and lathe operator at Armco Steel where his dad and sister also worked. He drove for Kincaid Coach Lines for several years where he was personally requested by customers as the only driver they wanted while in KCMO. He spent most of his career driving a semi-truck over the road, completing more than 3 million miles in 30 years with just 1 chargeable accident, and he could drive – and backup – any vehicle and trailer combo he got near. Ralph got injured at age 56 while unhooking his semi-trailer and was no longer able to drive a truck so he used that opportunity to re-educate himself as an airplane mechanic. He proudly completed the degree program at Aviation Institute of Maintenance, graduating second in his class, and went on to earn his A&P license on his first attempt.
His hobbies and interests were numerous and varied, ranging from Ham radios [Call Sign: N0CPM], CB radios, experimental aircraft, sail boating, archery, Van Club, telescopes and astronomy, computers, NASCAR, Cowboy Action Shooting Competitions, camping, and fishing. He frequently sang a solo at his church on Sunday mornings, much to the delight of his church family. He loved to play card games, dominos, and his family’s favorite game of 10,000 (aka Farkle). And he loved spending New Year’s Eve with Arlene and their friends John and Helen and Norm and Patty, with card games and laughter lasting until daylight.
He was married to Lorene DeMeulenaere from 1968 to 1996. To this union was born Ralph’s only child, Lorinda Miller Didier, and he also welcomed his stepson Jim Jones into his family. He married Arlene Davenport Miller April 10, 2004 and together they were furry baby parents to their dogs Lady, Pauper, and Smokey.
Ralph bravely fought a 7-year battle with bladder cancer with the loving and prayerful encouragement of his wife, his church family, his extended family, his wonderful doctors, and a host of friends. He is survived by his wife Arlene (and Smokey) of the home, his daughter, Lorinda Didier (Jeff) of Belton, stepson Jim Jones of Lee’s Summit, grandchildren Gunn (Terry) Cox, Garrett Didier, and Mackenzie Didier, his sister Linda German (Bob) of Alton, MO, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the New Beginnings Church, State Hwy HH, McKendree Rd., Odessa, Missouri.
The family will receive friends Monday, May 22, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. at the New Beginnings Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard & Annette Block Family Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri and may be sent in care of The Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.
