Ron Miller

Ron Miller, 78, of Jonesboro, departed this life on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born January 20, 1938, in West Ridge, Arkansas, Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lula Miller; brothers Ecil, Ralph, Bill and Owen; and sister, Elaine Miller McCoy. Survivors include one brother, Bob Miller of Jonesboro, two sisters, Betty Smith of Keiser and Marsha Midkiff of Williamsburg, Virginia, and a large extended family.

Ron graduated from Mississippi County High School in 1955 and Arkansas State College in 1959 with a bachelor degree in Social Science and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He became a highly accomplished military pilot, flying a Huey Helicopter Gunship during three tours in Vietnam. His lengthy list of military achievements during his 24 year career includes two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars and 21 Air Medals. Ron was a Master Aviator, and rated in multi-engine aircraft including the Beechcraft Baron, the King Air and Queen Air.

Ron retired in Atlanta, Georgia, and shortly thereafter the dedication of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) was scheduled to be dedicated at 11:00 a.m. on November 14, 1982. Having served three years in combat, Ron knew he had to be at the Wall's dedication to honor his many friends who had lost their lives during that war. On November14th, almost 300 Vietnam Veterans from Atlanta, Georgia, joined the many thousands at the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial--it was an incredible program which began the national reconciliation between the American people and those who served there.

Shortly thereafter, President Ronald Reagan appointed Ron as the Executive Director of the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, Inc., a very successful state program that placed over 3000 veterans in full-time career positions and captured over $100 million in SBA Direct and bank-guaranteed loans.

During the next 13 years, Ron and his team earned many awards and trophies for their outstanding work with veterans and their families. President George H.W. Bush awarded Ron and his team with President Bush's Thousand Points of Light Award at Disney World Headquarters.

In 1986, Ron contacted Bob Hope and convinced him to perform a special show at the historic Fox Theater in Atlanta. The "Salute to Bob Hope" was standing room only and at the end of the performance, Ron Miller read a telegram to Mr. Hope from President Reagan, who thanked him for his decades of service to our great country. In 2002, Home Box Office, Inc. selected Mr. Miller to be the Master of Ceremonies for the world premiere of the HBO movie, "Path to War" in Atlanta. Later that year, it won the Golden Globe Award in Los Angeles.

In 1993, Ron was selected as Associate Producer of the Vietnam POW documentary, "Beyond Courage-Surviving Vietnam as a POW." The documentary took six former POWs back to the prison camps in North Vietnam. This is the only production company to film in the infamous Hanoi Hilton POW Camp prior to it being torn down.

Ron dedicated his life to assisting veterans at the local, state and national levels. He established a scholarship program for selected freshmen cadets at Arkansas State University who may need financial support.

Ron has been very active with the National League of POW-MIA Families of Southeast Asia and has visited with the Recovery Headquarters in Hawaii and Vietnam. He was active with the League for several decades and had served as the National Veteran Advisor for the League. Ron has friends who are still Missing In Action.

A funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Billy Ray Miller, Jr. officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Garden Point Cemetery in Etowah. There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to the Beck Pride Center, P.O. Box 910, State University, AR 72467.

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