Ray Miles

On August 23, 2020 Dr. Ray Miles left this earthly life. It was entirely too soon for the many who loved him, but plenty of time for him to walk the path God laid before him. Born September 17, 1957, he was a lifelong learner. A graduate of Reeves High School, McNeese State University (BA ‘79, MEd ‘82), and The University of Oklahoma (PhD ‘90), he had a gift for telling stories in a way that made even the most mundane topic sound interesting, a gift which he put to good use bringing history to life for his students. He was especially passionate about Native American history and spent much of his career working with and for Native peoples. He loved McNeese and was there for 30 years as professor and later Dean. His love for music led him to co-host ‘School of Rock’ on KBYS, where he shared random music facts and classic rock hits with his audience. He could fix anything, build anything, and was kind and fair to everyone.

Rejoicing with him in heaven is his father, Elmer Ray Miles, and mourning him on Earth are his loving wife of 40 years, Tanya Emmer Miles, his children Elizabeth Rae Corgan and Luke Emmer Miles, his son in law Kyle Corgan, his grand children Avery Rae, John Marshall Douglas, William James, and Charles Christopher, his mother Emma Miles, his siblings William Miles, Lenord Miles, and Sissy Young, his nieces and nephews, and many people who loved him. 

His favorite artist, Neil Young, once sang, “A little love and affection in everything you do will make the world a better place with or without you.” Ray’s life truly reflected that, as he did so many things with love and we are all better for having known him. 

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Msgr. Jace Eskind and Fr. Whitney Miller will officiate the funeral, assisted by Deacon Richard Donahoe. Inurnment will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  A gathering will begin in the church on Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:30 PM.  The gathering will continue on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dalton Ashworth, Dr. Rob Janot, Clint Kindell, Barry Leger, Paul Veazey, and Andy Walker. 

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Ray Miles Scholarship in History with checks made payable to the McNeese Foundation, Box 91989
Lake Charles, LA 70609, or online at McNeeseFoundation.org