Charles Dow Miller
Nov 1, 1931 - Aug 27, 2013
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Dow was born in Tahlequah, OK November 1, 1931 to Dutch and Clyde Miller.  He grew up in Tahlequah with his older brother, Mart.  In 1948, at 17, Dow graduated from Bagley High School. In college, he fell in love and married a woman who became his best friend and soul mate, Billye Sue Poynor. They were married in 1951.

He earned his doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee in 1956. He went on to specialize in Orthodontia at the University of Kansas City, completing his studies in 1958.  He served in the USAF from 1954 until 1957. 

Dow and Billye settled in Norman, where he was the very first orthodontist. He had a genuine interest in people. He would quiz his young patients which helped him to relate to the things that mattered to them. He gave out a lot of encouragement.  He was in business 37 years, retiring in 1999.

He was an active member of Kiwanis and served as president between 1976-1977. He was an avid Sooner fan.  He attended McFarlin Methodist Church, supported Norman Public Schools, and drove for Meals on Wheels in his retired years.

Playing the piano was a talent that seemed effortless to Dow. He could make the ivories come alive. He started playing when he was five years old. In his early college days, he played in a 5-man band. Over the years, there were many times that family and friends gathered around his piano for sing-a-longs.  He played for his McFarlin Fellowship Class for 22 years. There were many occasions for his gift.

Dow was a quiet and polite man with a dry sense of humor. He upheld hard work, honesty and good credit. He did a lot of his business on a handshake. He was a planner and made sure there was time for family. He always won at checkers, cards and ping pong. He was kind, gentle, and patient…always giving to others. He was a wonderful man, husband, mentor, father, brother, grandpa, and friend. We will miss him.

Charles Dow Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Dutch and Clyde Miller, his brother, Martin Miller, and his son, David Dow Miller.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Billye Sue Miller, his son, Doug Miller and his wife, April, his daughters, Sue and her husband, Fred Chilless, and, Leigh Baldock, all living in Norman, daughter-in-law Carrie Raymond of Bartlesville, sister-in-law Patsy Miller, nephew Kirby Miller and niece Martha Phillips, all of Paris, AR, his grandchildren: Jonathan Miller and wife, Rachel of Bartlesville, Jordan Miller of Farmington, NM, Braden Miller, Britton Miller, and wife, Jordan,  Megan Chilless of Dallas , Madison Chilless, Garret Baldock of Oregon and Lisa Baldock, step-grandchildren: Samantha Gastgeb of Newcastle, Tricia Miller, Taylor Carter of Bartlesville, Farol Cain of Bartlesville, and Trae Palmer of Portland, OR, great grandchildren include: Bella, Jackson Dow and Evelynn Miller of Bartlesville and Kobe Miller of Norman. All in all, he was grandpa to 13 and great-grandpa to four.

A memorial service will be held at McFarlin Methodist Church on Tuesday, Sept 3, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Burial has taken place at Sunset Memorial Park in Norman.  Memorial contributions may be made to McFarlin Methodist Church or Meals on Wheels. Arrangements for Dow and his family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman. Online condolences may be shared at HavenbrookFuneralHome.com