Donald Lee Miller

Donald Lee “Don” Miller, age 82, longtime Clinton resident, was born November 10, 1943, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to John A. and Mary (Smith) Miller, and passed away Friday morning, September 11, 2026, in Oklahoma City.

Don was raised in Clinton and attended Clinton Public Schools. On November 10, 1960—his 17th birthday—Don began what would become a distinguished career of service to his country when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. That decision took the young Clinton man around the world and began a military career spanning more than two decades.

Don completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, followed by technical school at Amarillo Air Force Base. His early assignments included Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, bringing him temporarily back close to home. In 1963, he served a temporary assignment at RAF Alconbury in England before returning to Clinton-Sherman.

His military career later took him back to Lackland Air Force Base and then overseas to Thailand, where he served at Takhli Royal Thai Air Base and Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base during the Vietnam era. Don subsequently served at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado before being assigned to Vietnam, serving at Nha Trang Air Base and Phan Rang Air Base from 1969 into 1970.

Following his service in Vietnam, Don was stationed at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1976, he was assigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he completed the final years of his Air Force career. After more than 20 years of honorable service, Don retired from the United States Air Force in November 1983. He continued serving his country as a civilian with the United States Army in Kaiserslautern and Mannheim, Germany, until July 1993.

Throughout his military career, Don received numerous decorations and honors, including the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, and numerous other awards recognizing his service, proficiency and longevity. Don was proud of his military service, and that commitment to his country remained an important part of who he was throughout his life.

Don married Barbara Hively on December 12, 1975, in Clinton, and from this union came his daughter, Robin. He later married Christa Margareta Graef on September 5, 1980, in Mannheim, Germany.

After spending much of his adult life serving his country away from Oklahoma, Don returned home to Clinton in 1998 and remained here for the rest of his life. He quickly became active in the Clinton American Legion Post, where he continued his dedication to veterans and his community. Don served as Post Commander for 12 years and held numerous other positions and responsibilities within the organization over the years.

Don also began another chapter in his working life at Clinton Regional Hospital, working nights in admissions and performing clerical duties. He enjoyed serving the people of his hometown and remained with the hospital until his retirement in 2005.

His faith was also an important part of his life. Don was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Clinton.

Don's life was truly one of service—first to his country, then to his fellow veterans, his community, his church and, most importantly, his family. From a 17-year-old Clinton boy leaving home for the Air Force, to assignments throughout the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia, and finally back home to Clinton, Don carried with him a deep sense of duty and commitment. After traveling much of the world, Clinton was the place he ultimately chose to call home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John A. and Mary Miller; his sister, Joan Beatty; his brother, J.D. Miller; and his wife, Christa Miller.

Don is survived and lovingly remembered by his daughter, Robin Tysl and her husband, Dennis Tysl Jr., of Chicago; his nine grandchildren, Dennis Tysl III, Lillian Tysl, Emily Tysl, Mildred Tysl, Aaron Tysl, Dorian Tysl, Nora Tysl, Vera Tysl, and Katelin Tysl; as well as other extended family members and many friends.

Don leaves behind a legacy of service that stretched across continents and generations. His more than two decades in the United States Air Force, continued civilian service with the United States Army, and years of dedication to the American Legion reflected a lifetime commitment to his country and to those who served alongside him.

Memorial services for Donald Lee “Don” Miller, age 82, longtime Clinton resident, will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, with Rev. Diana Steiner officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Lee Hometown Funeral Home.