Raymond Edward Milius "Our Wise Protector"

Our beloved Raymond Edward Milius age 70 passed away May 17, 2022 at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Lakewood, CO. following glioblastoma brain tumor complications.

Ray was born Jan. 31, 1952 to parents, Olga Owens Wilkinson and Raymond Willie Milius in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the eldest of six children, his younger siblings revered him as an exemplar big brother. He attended Kearns High School, where he enjoyed Radio and TV Industrial classes along with Chess Club. Ray was described as intelligent yet humble.

Immediately following his high school graduation in 1970, he enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard and completed basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Radio Operator.  He then was chosen to attend the difficult and prestigious Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and he graduated with HHD, 1st SF BN 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st SF. Ray loved being a paratrooper and Green Beret. His children and grandchildren loved hearing of his military training and admired his morse code skills.

He received two Citation Awards for Outstanding performance of duty as Chief Radio Operator in the Forward Communications Section of HHD, 1st SF BN, 19th SFGP of the Utah National Guard. The awards read: “SGT. Milius has always exhibited extreme competence and dedication in all facets of his military career.  To enhance his leadership abilities, he attended the UT. Military Academy and graduated in 1975 as an outstanding Graduate of the Utah National Guard Non-Commissioned Officers Course.”  Ray was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States of America on April 14th, 1978.

Ray took a temporary leave from his military service in 1971- 1973 to serve two-years as a proselytizing Spanish-speaking missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Uruguay/Paraguay Mission. On special assignment from his Mission President, he and his traveling mission companion were able to visit Machu Picchu and Mexico City on his way home to Utah.  His testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ remained constant throughout his life and he graciously served in many LDS Church callings including four bishoprics.

The second day home from his mission, he was hired by KUTV Channel 2 as a daytime news and commercial cameraman. He made many commercials with the late Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken and also freelanced as a cameraman for the Donnie & Marie show produced in Provo, Utah. Ray resumed his Army National Guard responsibilities and night classes at the University of Utah, where he completed the University of Utah’s Management Certificate Program. He wisely balanced working fulltime and gaining an education. He attended the University of Utah and tested out of a year’s worth of college credit within one test. Later while living in Denver, he studied at Regis University in CO. where he attended night classes while supporting his family. He taught his children to love learning and to work hard for their own aspirations. Ray’s work ethic and drive is legendary as he always set high priorities and standards for himself which remained throughout his lifetime.

Ray met the “Love of His Life,” Sheran Kay Milner on a blind-date which was set-up by his British aunt Lily and uncle Max who were church members of Sheran’s Cannon 7th Ward. Ray and Sheran both agreed to meet out of courtesy to them.  Their first date was to a Golden Eagles Hockey Game, followed by ice cream treats at Trolly Square and then to a late-night visit to KUTV Channel 2, to show Sheran where Ray worked and enjoy a live broadcast of the Ten o’clock News.  Sheran remarks, “Ray was married to TV long before marrying me, because he loved TV Broadcasting so much.” Later that evening, Ray and Sheran sat outside her home in his bright-red British Triumph GT-6 Sportscar for an hour and “just talked.”

Ray and Sheran were inseparable following their “matchmaking” and married the next year in the Salt Lake Temple on Jan. 30th, 1975. They purchased a home in West Jordan, Utah six weeks following their marriage and later raised five children. Many memories occurred there amongst their fond friends whom the Milius family adore.

After Completing 17 years working at KUTV with numerous promotions, Ray was invited by his boss, Al Seethaler to join him in a new career path in Denver, CO. as a Director of Production and Operations. Although very difficult for Sheran to leave her beloved Salt Lake family, she supported Ray and journeyed to Denver. Their family has lived and loved Littleton, CO. for 33 years and feels abundantly privileged to have lived in the Zion-like Southglenn Second Ward of the LDS Church’s Littleton Stake.

Ray worked at KMGH Channel 7 for seven years and later was employed by STARZ Entertainment Group for 21 years until his retirement as an Executive Vice President of Programming Operations. During this time, Ray impacted the TV Industry as it has transformed into the latest trend of TV streaming services. He was a member of several industry organizations including the Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers, the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and the Society of Telecommunications Engineers. In 1992, he received the McGraw-Hill Presidents Award for excellence in management, and also received several silver and gold awards for commercial production. He co-invented and co-patented the Media Build for Multi-Channel Distribution in 2013. In the year 2000, Ray was responsible for overseeing the mammoth construction of STARZ’ Office/Technical Building along with their Satellite Facilities. He tenderly asked Sheran not to divorce him during this time as it was an overwhelming responsibility and he worried about this toll on his family. “No Worries,” said Sheran, like Ray’s famous Mad Magazine character Alfred Newman which Ray always kept on his desk, “I’m behind you 100 percent.” For the design and construction of this STARZ broadcast facility, in 2004, Ray was honored with a Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award. Ray graciously retired in 2018, pleased with having built the building and the opportunity to lead an exceptional team of 250 brilliant broadcasting engineers and personnel.

Ray’s retirement was filled with helping his community, family and friends. He often remarked that he “never really retired.” Instead of vacationing Ray was called to serve as a humanitarian missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, working in the Denver Bishop’s Storehouse which provides food and essentials to those in need. He also worked in the Denver Temple Baptistry alongside Sheran. On weekends, Ray regularly donated his camera skills as a wedding videographer filming over 50 weddings for family and friends. He was also the Videographer and Grip for his daughter Christina’s dance studio, Colorado Dance Center, and worked hard overseeing and building out its new space in 2019.

Mostly, Ray spent his time helping his elderly parents, children, and grandchildren. Showing his love through his actions, Ray taught us love means more than words. He communicated love with a softspoken voice and nobly demonstrated how he valued faith, family and friends as his most prized priorities. Ray was unselfish and always placed the needs of others first, whether at home or in business. Sheran rejoices in their 47 years of marriage and claims to never have met a finer soul whose words and works were so Christlike as Raymond Edward Milius. Ray has returned homeward to heaven with honor.

Ray is survived by his wife, Sheran; daughter, Gianina (Brad Bunce); sons, Raymond Aric (Jonne), Robert Edward (Catia); daughter, Christina (Tom Jackson); and son, Martin Philip Milius. Ray has seven sensational grandchildren: Jaymes (Emily), Holly (Daniel), Spencer, Bella, Monique, Obray and Xander.

Funeral Services were held downtown at Larkin Mortuary on South Temple, Salt Lake City Utah on May 31, 2022. Those wishing to view the recording of the Funeral may click on this link: https://vimeo.com/716630535/2d9b826b66

The Interment was in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

An additional Memorial Service is scheduled to be held in Colorado on June 10, 2022 beginning at 11 am at the LDS Easter Bldg. located at 1939 Easter Ave, Littleton, CO. 80122. For those wishing to participate virtually, please follow this link at 11am on Friday: https://bxcited.com/raymond-edward-milius/

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on the adjoining tribute wall. Thank you.