Charles Rader
LeRoy Rader Funeral Home, Longview, TX

A third-generation funeral director, Charles Rader was born and raised in Longview, Texas, graduating from Longview High School in 1976 and Texas Tech University in 1980. He then attended and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Charles’ grandfather, LeRoy Rader, started the family business in 1938 where Charles learned the family business early in life by observing his father, Charley Rader.

Charles was the 2009 recipient of OGR’s most prestigious award, the Golden Light Award, in recognition of his community service activities and contributions to the funeral industry. He has served on various OGR standing committees and his firm received honorable mention for its community service last year.

Charles is active in many Longview organizations including the Longview-Greggton Rotary Club, where he is a past president and a Paul Harris Fellow. He has volunteered with the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center, the March of Dimes, and the Greater Longview United Way. He is currently on the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

 He enjoys all kinds of hunting, especially duck and pheasant hunting. He and his wife, Lacy, are the proud parents of a son, Preston, a senior at Texas Tech and future funeral director, and a daughter, Sarah, a junior at Texas State University. They are members of Mobberly Baptist Church, and they enjoy summer vacations, cookouts, four-wheeling, and other family activities.

Christopher B. Miller
Thomas Miller Mortuary, Corona, CA

Chris Miller is a second generation funeral director and owner of Thomas Miller Mortuary in Corona, California. He began his career in funeral service as a teenager, when he assisted on his first removal at the age of fourteen. After graduating from California Polytechnic University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant Management,

Chris returned home in 1991 to pursue a career in the family business. He graduated from Cypress College’s Mortuary Science Program in 1992 after receiving the highest honor from the program, The Melvin Hilgenfeld Award. In November of 1993, he received his California Embalmer License and in September of 1997, his California Funeral Directors License. After the death of his father in 2006, Chris and his wife purchased the mortuary from his mother. In 2007, he purchased a second location in Riverside, California and is currently planning a crematorium on site at his main location.

Chris and his wife Rhonda have two children, a six year-old girl, Reagan Lynn, and a boy, Colin Bryant, who will be three in April. Chris has been involved with numerous organizations in his community such as The Foundation for Community and Family Health (Corona, CA) where he currently serves on the Executive Board; Circle City Rotary Club; The Unforgettables Foundation, an organization that helps families with the loss of their child; Corona Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as Financial Chair; and American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

In addition to OGR, Chris is a member of the California Funeral Directors Association, ICCFA and National Funeral Directors Association. In his spare time, he loves to cook, collect vintage wine and spend time with his family.

Thomas Miller Mortuary has been a member of OGR for more than 60 years. Chris has been active over the past five years and looks forward to working with other members of OGR to help take the organization to the next level.