Posted by Lee Miller on August 29, 2009:

All good relationships between classmates, families must temporarily end at least here on earth awaiting reunions later. Ray was a close friend and classmate who could be counted on no matter the occasion. There were four Millers in the West Point Class of 58. Ray Burton, Bob and myself. Two have now passed with Bob and myself still here for now. We will greatly miss both Ray and Burt. I did not know Ray as a cadet but became close friends with he and Norma as we served together at West Point on the faculty 1965-1968 - he in Mechanics and myself in Chemistry. Ray was a 32nd Degree Mason and as such was involved in a Masonic organization for military officers, called the National Sojourners, which had its' origin with George Washington during his time at and in the vicinity of West Point during the Revolution. Ray was a staunch believer in the masonic belief of duty to country and assisting others in need. Ray was always there as a leader in the Sojourners and was a reliable brother who could be counted on to take any task, great or small to successful completion. His cheerful upbeat "Can Do" philosophy of life will always be remembered. He was there for the rest of us whenever called upon. Our friendship continued in the following service years as Ray, Norme, sons and their famous dog "Gus" lived in Bethesda, MD. Gus, a wiener hound beagle type liked to eat tennis balls. Every time he ate one it was a $500. operation to remove the tennis ball from Gus. The joke was "Had he eaten another one?" as Ray and Norma got hit with another tennis ball removal operation. Our friendship has continued over the years at class reunions and we last spent a short visit with Ray and Norma at the 50th Reunion. I did not know or realize Ray was sick at that time. I was shocked when I got the word on Aug 26 of his passing on Aug 18. To Norma and Ray's sons, my deepest and heartfelt sympathy we were sorry not to make the celebration of his life. We will miss him for now with the hopes of meeting again in a better place. Lee Miller Classmate and Fellow Mason

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