Ray was born on July 4, 1933, in Springview near Omaha, Nebraska in a log cabin on his grandfather’s farm. He graduated from Cascade College in 1964. He had many jobs including logger (WA/OR), Good Humor ice cream truck driver, farmer (NE), post master worker, Army tank mechanic (TX), Bus driver, Pastor (WA/ID/MT/WY), Housekeeper (Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, WA) before he retired on December 31, 1999 to be a full-time traveler with his wife, Marge.
In 1967, Ray married Margaret Anne Olson and the couple had 2 children together, Daniel Brian Millard and Sharilyn LaRae Millard Kruger. He was passionate about missions at his church and was deeply involved in leading people to Christ through different ministry opportunities from 1955 when he became a Christian till his dying day in June of 2023. He was especially drawn to missions with his wife and went on several mission trips to Ecuador, Argentina, England, and several other mission trips as well as serving as a distributor of the Food Bank at their former church on Broadway in Spokane, WA.
Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading, writing his books, drawing art for his family members, singing in men’s group, playing the harmonica and learning the xylophone, traveling around the world with his family and watching WWE “wraaastling” (as he always called it). His family and friends will always remember him as a kind, loving man who embodied Jesus Christ. “He was Christ in skin.” He also loved to joke and make others smile. He would just look up at you with his beautiful blue eyes and say, “Let me tell ya a joke!” and then he would ALWAYS make you laugh.
Raymond is survived by his sister, Marilyn Dixon (Don); his son, Daniel (Dan) Brian Millard (Stephanie), his daughter, Sharilyn (Shari) LaRae Millard Kruger (Tim), his 5 grandchildren: Doug Millard, Allie Millard, Jon Millard, Sadie Kruger, Austin Kruger, and his 2 great-grandchildren: Victoria Anne Marie Millard, Aedyn Orion James Millard. He is preceded in death by Floyd and Dorothy Millard, his parents, Jim Millard his brother, and Marge Olson Millard, his wife.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service is scheduled for 2:00pm on July 15, 2023, at Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Raymond’s life.
The family would like to thank Horizon Hospice especially Larissa for her dedication and special veteran’s honor flag and pinning ceremony, Celebrations Respite Care especially Agnes for her long hours of service and love, our friend: Courtney and family members: Austin, Sheryl, Vicki, Scout, Mazlyn, and Sherita who helped make Ray’s end of life special and peaceful. Donations in lieu of flowers and charitable donations may be made in Ray Millard’s honor to the Missions Fund at Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene.
Professional services are being conducted by Ball and Dodd’s Funeral Home at 5100 W Wellesley Ave. Spokane, WA 99205.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BallandDodd.com for the Millard family.
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