Richard Samuel Miller

Richard Samuel Miller of New Braunfels, TX, graduated into Heaven on September 19, 2021. He was born at home in Munford, AL on April 26, 1934 to parents James and Leila B (nee Thompson) Miller. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha, his parents, brothers Ralph and Rex Miller, and sister Mary Ellen Miller Conner. He is survived by his daughter Rebecca Watren of San Antonio, TX, son Ralph Miller of Austin, TX, and stepson Steve Jett, of San Antonio TX, two sisters: Katherine Spotts, Memphis, TN and Betty M. (Terry) Curren of Alexandria, AL, and four brothers: Ray (Myrl) Miller, Dothan, AL, Randy (Angie) Miller, Denton, TX, Ron (Kathrine) Miller, Anniston, AL, and Rodney (Janice) Miller, Valrico, FL. and numerous nieces and nephews. As a teenager, Richard kept busy by delivering The Anniston Star and drug store orders by foot. Eventually he saved enough money to buy a motorcycle which allowed him to expand his paper-route. By the time he graduated high school, he was working at the newspaper by setting up and managing carrier routes. Upon his mother’s insistence he graduated from Anniston High School before enlisting in the USAF on August 31, 1953. After Basic Military Training, he began his Technical School training at Shepherd AFB, TX to become an Aircraft and Engine Technician. His first permanent duty station was at Wheelus Air Base, east of Tripoli, Kingdom of Libya, North Africa. It was here where he became proficient enough to have the Air Force revise a particular Technical Manual saving the Air Force 54 man-hours of labor per aircraft, every time a particular maintenance item was performed. As a two-striper Airman First Class, he had no problem showing a two-star General what he did to save the Air Force time and materials. After this 18-month tour of duty, he was assigned to Little Rock AFB, AR. In December of 1956 he married Dorothy Ham. On August 30th 1957 he received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant and began attending Texas A&M (formerly A&I) of Kingsville, TX, under the GI Bill. He completed a 4-year Bachelors of Arts Degree program in Education, and obtained a teaching certificate in 3 years. Mr. Miller began his 36-year teaching career in 1960 at Harry H. Rogers Middle School, San Antonio ISD. During this 36-year career, he earned a Master’s Degree in Counselling from South West Texas University and was certified by the State of Texas in School Administration, Counselling, History, Industrial Arts and Drivers Education. During the summer, he would provide driving lessons at St. Mary’s University and at Our Lady of the Lake University, where he accumulated over 39 hours toward the doctorate’s 60. He commuted to San Antonio from New Braunfels each day since 1982. Richard married the love of his life, Martha Jackson on June 19, 1971. Richard taught at the following NEISD schools: Jackson Middle School, John Nance Garner Middle School and Bradley Middle School where he became the first NEISD male middle-school counsellor. In 1996 he retired from being a Texas Educator and Counsellor. Richard was a devoted and active member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a dedicated member of the Sewing Ministry at Oakwood Baptist Church. By keeping Martha’s legacy alive he continued sewing baby blankets for the community. If you were searching for Richard, you could find him at church or Whataburger Creekside. His life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service at Lux Funeral Home, 1254 Business 35-N, New Braunfels, TX on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. Visitation will be 5:30pm-6:30pm, with the memorial service starting at 6:30pm. His son, stepson, his brothers, Brad Nichols and Norm Sweet are all Honorary Pallbearers. A committal service will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at 9:15am. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s honor to Calvary Baptist Church, 177 W Klein Road, New Braunfels TX, 78130.