It is with sadness that we formally announce the death of David Miley.

David Ray passed away in a Nursing Home in Pooler, Georgia, surrounded by family, at the age of 92 from natural causes. He was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and lived there until joining the military.

David met Carol Lee (Doyle) in high school and were married at the ages of twenty and sixteen. David had already enlisted in the US Air Force. Their journey together had begun, David Lee was first born, followed by Rhonda Kaye and finally Sharon Diane.

His first duty station was Kessler Air Force Base and lived in Biloxi, Mississippi, down on Back Bay where he trained to be a dental technician. Life was good, they lived off base in Harrison Court with military families, lots of kids and tight relationships. Not more than 100 yards from the home was the Gulf of Mexico where they caught most of the food they ate, fish, shrimp and crabs. Family from Jackson would visit regularly and enjoy the kids, the food and the fireflies caught in jars and used as lanterns.

His second duty station was Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where they lived from 1960 through 1964 with all three kids in tow. He recalled this as being a wonderful time travelling throughout Europe each summer during his annual thirty day leave, usually accompanied by a relative from the states visiting. By the end of the tour, he had achieved the rank of MSgt (E-7), living on base, beautiful wife and family, and income adequate to afford a new their first new car, a VW station wagon square back. Each $1 (US) was worth 4 DM (Deutsche Mark), so 25 US cents each, so again, life was good.

They made their last move to Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and lived on base beginning in1965, again, many families, lots of kids and lasting relationships.

Never wanting to leave the area, they bought their first house in Vandenberg Village in 1972, the year his son David graduated Cabrillo SHS. He retired from the military in 1976 at rank of CMSAF (E9), the highest-ranking of noncommissioned officers where he oversaw the efforts of all enlisted personnel. AS NCOIC he took an active interest in enlisted men’s welfare, morale, readiness, and training at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

David was preceded in death by wife Carol Lee, daughter Sharon Diane (Wittmann), parents Howard Gordon and Thelma Quay, brother Larry Gordon.

David is survived in death son David Lee, (wife Jane Nicol), daughter Rhonda Kay, grandchildren from Sharon, William David Wittmann (wife Jennifer Lynn), from Dave and Jane, David Gerard, Daniel Allen (wife Kasey Brianne), Sadie Jane Clark (husband Eric Brendon). Great grandchildren from Bill, Melody Rose, and Gianna Grace Sharon (Wittmann), from Dan and Kasey, Daniel Ray, Kessler Lee, Nora Lou, Elliott Jane, Daisy Ann, and his nephew Saint Gene Gordon (brother Larry),

After Children were grown and gone, Carol and David did not hesitate to create new memories with many affiliations; Freemasons (Lodge Master, Inspector), Scottish Rite Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), and various local Churches in the area. They both lived long and very full lives, overcame tragedy, endured hardships and imparted a seventy year legacy of marriage with a lasting impact built through character, love, and service to others.

It was Carol’s wish that their services be combined. For those who would like to attend there will be a service held at Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ, 3346 Constellation Rd. in Vandenberg Village on Friday, April 10th at 11AM, followed by refreshments; followed with inurnment ceremony where David and Carol will reunite in the columbarium at 1PM in Lompoc Cemetery.

It is with sadness that we formally announce the death of Carol Miley.

Carol Lee Miley passed away at home with family bedside in Vandenberg Village on January 26, 2025, from colon cancer at the age of 87. 

Carol was born in Selma, Alabama, on March 09, 1937 and lived there until her father Earl Doyle passed. Her mother Dola moved her and two sisters Glenda and Rita to Jackson, Mississippi, where she raised and supported the three girls while working as a telephone operator.

 Carol met her husband David Ray at high school and married at the age of sixteen, he was twenty and had enlisted in the Air Force. Their journey together had begun, David Lee was first born, followed by Rhonda Kaye and finally Sharon Diane.

 Carol was a homemaker while working selling Avon products at home parties. Carol moved up in cosmetics to be the representative for Revlon at the base exchange on Vandenberg A.F.B. for many years. She was a southern rose, strong minded, determined with an excellent sense of humor, a heritage of southern cooking, adding recipes to her already extensive catalogue handed down for generations. Always flavorful, striving to be wholesome and healthy and made holiday meals that even today’s television chefs would envy.

 Their first duty station was Kessler Air Force Base, living in Biloxi, Mississippi, down on Back Bay where David trained to be a dental technician. Life was good, they lived off base in Harrison Court with military families, lots of kids and tight relationships. Not more than 100 yards from their home was the gulf where they caught most of the food they ate, fish, shrimp and crabs. Family from Jackson would visit regularly and enjoy the kids, the food and the fireflies caught in jars and used as lanterns. 

Their second duty station was Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where they lived from 1960 through 1964 with all three kids in tow. Carol recalled this as being a wonderful time travelling throughout Europe each summer during his annual thirty day leave, usually accompanied by a relative from the states visiting. By the end of the tour, David had achieved the rank of MSgt (E-7), living on base, ambitious husband, growing family, and income adequate to afford a new their first new car, a VW station wagon square back. Each $1 (US) was worth 4 DM (Deutsche Mark), so 25 US cents each, so again, life was good.

 Their final duty station was Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, living on base beginning in1965, again, many families, lots of kids and lasting relationships. Never wanting to leave the area, they bought their first house in Vandenberg Village in 1972 and lived there until her passing. 

Carol was preceded in death by her daughter Sharon Diane (Wittmann), her parents Dola and Earl (Doyle), her sisters Glenda (Jones) and Rita (Shoemake). 

Carol is survived in death by son David Lee, (wife Jane Nicol), daughter Rhonda Kay, grandchildren from Sharon, William David Wittmann (wife Jennifer Lynn), from Dave and Jane, David Gerard, Daniel Allen (wife Kasey Brianne), Sadie Jane Clark (husband Eric Brenden). Great grandchildren from Bill, Melody Rose, and Gianna Grace Sharon (Wittmann), from Dan and Kasey, Daniel Ray, Kessler Lee, Nora Lou, Elliott Jane, Daisy Ann. 

After Children were grown and gone, Carol and David did not hesitate to create new memories with many affiliations; Freemasons, Scottish Rite Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), and various local Churches in the area. They both lived long and very full lives, overcame tragedy, endured hardships and imparted a seventy year legacy of marriage with a lasting impact built through character, love, and service to others. 

It was Carol’s wish that their services be combined. For those who would like to attend there will be a service held at Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ, 3346 Constellation Rd. in Vandenberg Village on Friday, April 10th at 11AM, followed by refreshments; followed with an inurnment ceremony where David and Carol will reunite in the columbarium at 1PM in Lompoc Cemetery.