Reed Sutherland Miller Jr.

Reed Sutherland Miller, Jr., 83, joined our Lord, departed family, and the Chefs in Heaven on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, to the late Reed S. and Mary Adele Miller, Reed was the loving life partner of Susan Petersen for over 55 years. He is survived by his brother Louis “Dusty” (Lesa) Miller, sister Marilyn (Dan) Henry, and close cousin Robert (Roseann) Byrne, Sue's family, Bunny and Gene Webb, Don and Teresa Petersen and Bernie and Deb Petersen, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many friends. In 1957, Reed graduated from St. Xavier High in Louisville, and received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University in 1961. Reed had a notable career as a chef in St. Louis. The name “Chef Reed Miller” hangs on the Wall of Honor at Forest Park Community College Culinary Program where he was a Professor of Culinary Arts for 26 years. In 1983 the St. Louis Chefs de Cuisine named him Chef of the Year for St. Louis. He was also the recipient of the DuBois Chen Award and a member of the World Chefs’ Association, where he served for a while as their Parliamentarian. Reed stayed active throughout his life. Upon retirement, he grew his white beard and made the Christmas season special for many children as a Santa Claus in St. Louis and other US cities for years. He loved dogs all his life and enjoyed spending time these last few years with Puck, his Labrador. As avid travelers, Reed and Sue reached their life goal of traveling to all seven continents just four months before he took his final journey. Reed loved life. He loved good food and good beer. He loved a joke well told and he told some well himself in that deep resonant voice. In his own words, he was “a lover, not a fighter”, and we loved him, and we will miss him. Visitation in St. Louis will be held on Wednesday, June 28, at Schrader Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO, from 4 to 8 PM. In Louisville, visitation will be at Owen Funeral Home- Jeffersontown, 9318 Taylorsville Road, 40299, from 11 AM-1 PM on Friday, June 30, with the funeral service beginning at 1 PM followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Louis Chef de Cuisine Education Foundation, P. O. Box 221768, Kirkwood, MO 63112-8768. Reed was a founding member of this foundation to help young chefs reach their educational goals.

Reed Sutherland Miller Jr.

March 28, 1940 - June 22, 2023