Obituary for Archie Miller

Archie Arthur Miller

June 12, 1941 ~ June 9, 2021 (age 79)

Archie Arthur Miller, 79, of Newkirk, OK gained his Angel Wings June 9th at Alliance Health Ponca City Hospital. He was born to Aaron and Della Mae Miller, joining a host of several (literally SEVERAL) siblings. He was number 8 of 14 children.

Archie attended Wynona Public Schools where he graduated in 1960, He grew up roaming the streets of Wynona. He aided in the family’s rather large garden and assisted in caring for his siblings and animals.

As a child, Archie loved being outdoors and when was asked who his friends were, he said basically it was his many MANY Siblings and the children of the Brown family. Osage County was his playground as a youth and served as a forever workplace. Amazingly, he met the love of his life in Osage county, and they became FOREVER PEN PALS.

Archie enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 and served diligently for 2 years when he was injured and honorably discharged in 1965. Archie returned home on June 9th, and he married his FOREVER PEN PAL, Virgie Marie Rayls, nine days later on June 18th, 1965 in Barnsdall Ok First Nazarene Church. They never once had a formal date. They communicated through letters and remained inseparable for nearly 56 years.

The marriage brought forth three children, all girls. Alice Marie, Tina Sue, and Jeannie.

Archie was proud to have won many awards in life. One in particular being in 1979 when he won the “Channel Hog” award from the CB Club. He wore many hats besides his OU ball cap and drilling rig hard hat. He was a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, and OSAGE COUNTY’S BEST “MUDMAN” AND OIL WELL PUMPER. He was an avid Pawhuska Huskie and Newkirk Tiger sports fans. In his earlier days, he loved watching John Reber’s Pawhuska Marching band. He loved Fishing, Camping, Singing, riding in his son in law’s 55 Chevy and his beloved OU SOONERS. He was well known for his Sour Kraut bringing lots of money to the Help Works yearly auction.

Archie was a hard worker. He started his work career as a gas station attendant for LC Smith in Pawhuska. He was the “mudman” for drilling rigs all over Osage County and was a pumper as well for Wilmco. He worked with the clients at Help Works in Pawhuska. He was one heck of a mechanic and brasier. You could always see his bright smile a mile away. He never met a stranger and helped everyone.

Archie will be remembered most for his amazing Smile, his contagious laughter, his internal GPS to find every drilling rig in Osage County, his singing of hymnals, “witch doctor” and ELVIRA! He was a proud man. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He could be heard bragging about them and, he bragged about how his vehicle got the best gas mileage. Also, if there were ever a mass amount of rain, sleet or snow fallen anywhere, he could top their excessive measurements by at least an inch!

Archie leaves behind his wife, Virgie of the home, three daughters and their spouses, Alice and Kenny Spears of Barnsdall, Tina and Tony Avallone of Pawhuska, OK. and Mary Jean (Jeannie) and Grant Lawrence of Newkirk! Surviving Grandchildren are Elizabeth and husband Justin James, Kenneth JR and wife Sierra Spears, Jessica Spears all of Barnsdall. Kirsten and husband Danny Somers of Washington, OK, Karissa Avallone and Hiram Muhammad of Carney, OK; Stormee Avallone of Bartlesville, Anthony Avallone, Kylee Avallone and Kelcie Avallone all of Pawhuska, OK. Shevelle and husband, Austin Matthiessen of Oklahoma City, Brittany and husband, Jerrod Evans of Ponca City and Jordan Miller of Edmond, OK.

Surviving Great Grandchildren are Gregory James, Bobby and Neveah Spears of Barnsdall, OK, Emerson Blankenship and Jebadiah Banker of Bartlesville, Mark Somers of Washington, OK, David, Alexander, KC Marlow of Barnsdall, and Levi Matthiessen of Oklahoma City, OK, Grayson Evans of Ponca City.

He is also Survived by one brother Aaron Audra Miller Jr and his wife Jane of Cache, OK: and three sisters Audrey Mae Given of Pawhuska, OK, Betty Blocklinger of Whittney, TX and Edith Charter of Longview, TX. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends!

Archie was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Della Miller, Brothers: Bobby Joe Miller, Oscar Miller, Otho Miller, Othellow Miller, and Alvin Miller; Sisters, Mozelle Miller, Della Rose Miller, Wanda Marie Essman and Edna Cunningham. Niece and Nephews: Rhoda Dingman and Chuckie Ewers, Darryl Givens, Harold Charter Jr, Opal Joyce Meade, and Linda Williams.

A Celebration of his life will be held at the Elks Lodge at 1:00 in Pawhuska, OK on Sunday June 13th followed by a Christian Funeral service with military honors at First Baptist Church in Newkirk Ok at 2 pm on Monday, June 14th. He will be escorted by a Patriot Guard and laid to rest in Resthaven Cemetery in Ponca City, OK.

Memorial contributions may be made to his wife, Virgie Miller, 201 North Cedar Ave, Newkirk Ok 74647, to help offset the final costs.