Gordon “Sarg” Richard Miller went to be with his wife, Joann, on Sept. 13, 2012. Gordon was born on Dec. 14, 1924 in Washington, D.C., to Charles and Martina Miller.
          He was raised in Spokane until he joined the Navy in 1942 and served with the 76th CB Battalion in the South Pacific during World War II. He was discharged from the Navy in June 1946, and enlisted in the United States Army in June 1946. His first assignment was with the 503rd Military Police Battalion in Pisa, Italy. He returned to the United States in December 1947. He then was assigned to the 2nd Military Police Company, 2nd Infantry Division, and went to Korea with the 2nd Division in July 1950. He was wounded in action on Sept. 4, 1950, and returned to the United States to the Madigan Army Hospital at Fort Lewis, Wash. He returned to Korea in October 1952 and was assigned to the 728th Military Police Battalion and remained there until his return to the United States in February 1954. He was assigned to the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Lompoc, Calif., in February 1958, and was assigned to the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., in August 1959, where he served as Custodial Guard until he retired in May 1963. Gordon was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal with four loops, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), World War II Victory Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.
          He married the love of his life, Joann, on Dec. 9, 1963, in Spokane, Wash. Shortly afterwards, they moved to the Okanogan Valley, living in Omak, Okanogan and Pleasant Valley. Gordon worked for Biles-Coleman as a security guard and later, as a law enforcement officer for the City of Omak for 10 years, then returned to the mill where he finally retired in 1986.
          Joann and Gordon enjoyed traveling on their motorcycle with their many friends and family over the years. They were always on the go! Camping, shooting his guns, having coffee and spending as much time with his friends and family were the spotlights in his retired life.
          His beloved Joann passed away on Oct. 11, 2008. He spent the remaining years of his life missing Joann, living with his children and eventually staying at North Valley Extended Care. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
          He is survived by his sons, Kenny, Gary (Traci) and Casey, all of Omak; his step-daughter, Connie (Brad) Bowers of Buffalo, South Dakota; grandchildren, Bailey (CJ) Ayers of Fort Hood, Texas, Taylor Miller of Tampa, Florida, Elizabeth (Josh) Hudson of Ellensburg, Wash., Loren Miller, Omak; Carson Miller, Wenatchee, Wash., Matthew (Jodi) Breding of Rugby, North Dakota, and Melissa Bredig of Buffalo, South Dakota. He is also survived by his special friends, JC and Donna Rounds, Oroville.
          Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Conconully Hwy., Okanogan. There will be a reception following the service at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Omak. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the U.S. Armed Forces Legacy Memorial, c/o of U.S. Bank, P.O. Box 854, Tonasket, WA. 98855, or to the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial.