Ray A. Miller

Ray A. Miller, age 66, passed away on January 20, 2026, at his home in Emporia, Kansas. He was born on November 29, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Carl A. and Peggy J. (Spillman) Miller.

Ray spent his entire career in the construction industry. A hardworking and dedicated man, he worked for Star Construction for nearly 30 years and retired as a foreman from Bruce Davis Construction.

Ray enjoyed fishing, country cruising, watching westerns, helping with pasture burning, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. Every Sunday, Ray and his buddies gathered for their own version of Sunday “church,” where they shared fellowship and played cards together.

Ray is survived by his stepchildren: Megan Ruiz and husband Frankie, and their children Brooklynn, Maia, and Eric, all of Emporia; Jerry Parks and wife Morgan, and their children Amelia, Aurora, and Abbott, of Garnett, Kansas; Mitch Stone and wife Shannon; and Andrew Parks and wife Shelly and their children Lily, Evie, and Marvel, of Valentine, Nebraska. 

He is also survived by his siblings: Roy Miller and wife Annette of Emporia; Sue Nutterfield of Olathe, Kansas; and Sally Miller-Cheek and husband Michael of San Antonio, Texas, and his nephews: Jesse Miller and wife Tina; Aaron Nutterfield and wife Emily; Connor Nutterfield; and Kristopher Cheek; as well as his great-nephews Beau Miller, Everett Nutterfield, and a baby Nutterfield on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved partner, Julie “Jules” Parks; and his grandson, Frankie Eric Ruiz.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Toledo Township. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to continue the celebration of Ray’s life at Casa Ramos, 402 Merchant St, Emporia. The family welcomes shared photos and memories on the Tribute Wall at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com/obituary/Ray-Miller. No visitation is planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Soden’s Bridge Preservation, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, P.O. Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.

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