Stephen Charles “Steve” Miller of Raleigh, beloved family man and retired federal agent, passed away unexpectedly after a cardiac event April 6, 2017.

He was 68, and is survived by his wife of 40 years, Toni Miller of Raleigh, son Colin Matthew Miller and daughter-in-law Amanda Selah Miller of Durham, daughter Kate Marie Peters and son-in-law Mike Peters of Denver, CO, grandson Owen Reid Peters of Denver, and a granddaughter, Colin and Amanda’s first child, due at the end of May. Also grieving are his mother, Rosemary Ryan Miller of Wake Forest, NC, brothers Jeff Miller (Maureen Miller) of Athens, GA, Peter Miller (Ann Miller) of Hickory, NC, and sister Mary Miller (Bob Geolas) of Raleigh, as well as a large extended family of nephews, nieces and cousins.

Born in Easton, PA, to the late Vernon Reid “Pete” Miller and Rosemary Miller, Steve grew up in Lakewood, OH, graduating from St. Edward High School. A brief stint as a clerk for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Cleveland OH ignited a passion for government service and criminal justice to which he dedicated the rest of his life.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1968, serving four years as a counterintelligence agent during the Vietnam War. He returned to the United States and became a police officer in New Orleans, then moved to California and after earning a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Northridge, launched the beginning of a 30-year career as a criminal investigator and special agent with the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General. He transferred to Raleigh in 1989, where he specialized in investigating white collar crime. A highlight of his decorated career was being assigned to the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and serving as liaison between JTTF and the Muslim community.

Steve loved his work, and after retiring, taught and developed curriculum around Homeland Security issues for North Carolina Central University. Well-read and reasoned, never shy of opinion, he enjoyed writing and publishing editorial pieces about security issues and international politics. He was also an active volunteer for the USO of North Carolina in Raleigh. Yet what truly defined his existence was his deep, fierce love for his family. Toni was the center of his world. They met shortly after his return from Vietnam, and throughout four decades of marriage, he told her every single day that he loved her. Fatherhood was his most joyful accomplishment. He rarely missed a school or sporting event, and enjoyed even more the close relationships he shared with Colin and Kate after they reached adulthood. He wielded a whisk as skillfully as he did a firearm, turning out innumerable meals for his extended family, especially birthday cakes.

Funeral services are Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh, 7615 Six Forks Road. Viewing begins at 12 noon, with a chapel service at 1 p.m. and interment immediately following at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh NC 27601. In memory of Steve, donations can be made to USO of North Carolina RDU Center PO Box 91443 Raleigh NC 27674 or to the Salvation Army of Wake County, PO Box 27584, Raleigh NC 27611