Archie Ray Miller

Archie Ray Miller, of Gordon, Texas, age 86, shy of his 87th birthday by 9 days, went to Paradise, holding his wife’s hand on Friday, November 15, 2024 at Texas Health Harris Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born on Wednesday, November 24, 1937, in Big Cabin, Oklahoma, Orin and Beulah (Breazeale) Miller, on the family ranch. He was the youngest of 9 children. When he was born, one of his sisters said, “another ole boy”. Archie was a beloved individual who touched the lives of all he encountered. He loved God, and he loved his family and his wife’s family.

Archie was a sickly child and contracted TB of the bone when he was 12. As his older brothers worked outside helping their dad, Archie helped his mother more with household chores, with the chickens, gardening, canning and shelling peas. In high school, Archie played basketball, and his 18 graduating classmates have remained close friends to this day. Archie hardly ever missed a class reunion. During his high school years Archie’s Dad bought a semi-truck to haul cattle and feed to and from the ranch which Archie thoroughly enjoyed doing.

While in high school, he met Carolyn “Carol” Hunt, and after graduation, they were married on August 12, 1956, in Vinita, Oklahoma. They lived in Big Cabin for about 3 months before moving to Wichita, Kansas, where they both were employed by Boeing aircraft. In February 1958, they moved to Vinita, Oklahoma, where Archie bought his own truck and trailer which led to 59 years of trucking as owner/operator for their own trucking company, Crossland Express, and driving in 49 of 50 states. When he took time off to be with the family, you might find them on vacation, RV camping, boating, water skiing, or motorcycling. He also loved square dancing, and the friendships that were made. The family (including extended family) loved the time they spent together, whether it was playing cards, dominos (where Archie always played to win), or cooking out. After raising their two children, Carol also trucked with Archie, driving in 47 states. Some of his happiest times were when they were trucking together.

Archie hauled one of the first “Christmas Tree” oil well assemblies to Fairbanks, Alaska then it was hauled on to Prudhoe Bay. Archie hauled produce, heavy equipment, oil field pipe, cattle, air freight, and flatbed loads. In the mid 1980’s Archie had a small fleet of trucks that hauled rock. If a truck needed service of any kind, Archie would let the driver drive his truck while he took care of the other driver’s truck. He did almost all his own mechanic work, from overhauling engines to regular maintenance service. Archie was the master of “redneck engineering”. If it could be fixed, he fixed it! Archie finally sold his last truck in 2016 when he retired at the age of 80. He said the only thing he missed about it was the paychecks.

In July 1961, they moved to Fort Worth, where they lived a year and a half before moving to Hurst, where they purchased their first home and lived for 10 years. In March 1973, they moved to Gordon, where they were presently living. After retiring from the trucking business, Archie loved tinkering in the shop. He also spent much time repairing an RV if it needed anything. Or you might find him on one of his tractors doing some work around the property. He wasn’t one to stay inside unless he was sick.

Archie was a member of the Gordon Church of Christ, actively helping with mission work, the lawn, or doing what was asked of him.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents, Orin and Beulah Miller; his siblings, Theodore Miller, Orville Miller, Agnes Scott, Elsie Freeby, Mildred Griffith, Leon Miller, Herbert Miller, and Glenn Miller; his baby granddaughter Keturah Rae Daniels; and several nieces and nephews.

Those left to cherish the memory of Archie include the love of his life, his wife Carol of 68 years; his son Dale Bret and wife Ginger Miller; daughter Raelynn Carol Miller; his grandson, Billy Dale and wife Lindsey Miller; granddaughter Sarah Mae and husband Mike Price; great-granddaughter Mae Marie Miller; great-grandson Gunner Robert Miller; and great-granddaughter Cashlynn Jo Miller; several nieces and nephews; many friends and his church family.

Visitation will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Vinita Church of Christ, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 A.M. with Mr. Bob Hampton officiating. Interment will follow in the Carselowey Cemetery with Jeff Lair, Billy Dale Miller, Frank Holton, Dewey Tucker, Jerry Goins, and Larry Bergman serving as casket bearers. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date to be held in Gordon, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Cherokee Home for Children, P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, TX 76832, www.chc4kids.org in memory of Archie R. Miller who cherished the work of the Children’s Home. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesvinita.com or on the funeral home Facebook page.

Arrangements are in the care of Luginbuel Funeral Home. “Family owned. Locally operated.”