1926 ~ 2004
ST. GEORGE, UTAH - <! > Harold Richard "Dick" Miles, age 78, passed away peacefully May 16 at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born April 20, 1926, in St. George, Utah, to Elma McAllister and Harold Miles. He married Maurine Bentley on March 18, 19
47, in the St. George Temple.
Dick and his two sisters, Ina and Bernice, were the fourth generation of their family to be reared in St. George. At that time the population was approximately 2,500 residents. During his life in St. George, he has witnessed many changes and been instrumental in the growth and development of the community. His family was musically inclined and he enjoyed playing in the school band at both Woodward Junior High School and Dixie High School. Skilled and talented at both the drums and the trumpet, he played in several dance bands that provided entertainment at Veyo, Santa Rosa, and the old Rec Hall.
He joined the Navy Reserve program before graduating from Dixie High School in 1944 and served for two years immediately following graduation. While in the Navy, he was stationed in San Diego and served as a radioman. When he returned from the Navy, he had plans to enter college and earn a degree in music. Because of his father's failing health, he went directly into the grocery store business.
Possibly his only regret in life was not being able to earn a college degree. That disappointment turned into encouragement to many young employees and missionaries to get their college education.
After his father passed away in 1951 when Dick was 24, he began managing the OK Market. The business grew to include the Dixie Market, Market Basket and a partnership in Center Department Store. The family business continued until 1983 when Dick, Shirl and Bernice sold the grocery store. He served on the Board of Directors of Associated Food Stores and the Utah Retail Association. In 1970, he and a group of associates organized and founded Dixie State Bank. He served as a director until 1993, when the bank was purchased by First Security Bank. In the mid-eighties he obtained his Realtor's license and was associated with the Century 21 group for several years.
In 1995-96, he served an LDS mission with his wife, Maurine, in the Washington D.C. North area. Dick would offer to buy lunch for a few of the missionaries that were in the office at lunchtime. Soon, the few grew to many on a very regular basis and he good-naturedly purchased lunch for many hungry missionaries. He served his church in many capacities: temple ordinance worker, member of the St. George Fifth Ward Bishopric, scout master, YM President, and many years in the Pine Valley summer group.
Dick loved to golf and enjoyed his association with his Monday and Thursday golf buddies and spending time with members of the "Garden Club". An avid member of the Lion's Club since 1951, he served as secretary and president and was never far from Lion's Rodeo Parades. He further supported education by his membership for several years on the Dixie State College Scholarship Associates Committee. He also served on the Applause board and the Woodward Restoration Committee.
For approximately 50 years, Dick and Maurine have gone to Pine Valley as their special getaway. In the early sixties, they built their first cabin and many years later their second "cabin" as he referred to it. He loved to spend time there and shared it often with friends and family. However, his greatest joy in life was the "Grandparent Sponsored" family trips and reunions with his grandchildren.
His legacy will be his ability to embrace and enjoy life, his dedication to his neighbors, friends, grocery store customers and employees, community and business associates, his integrity, fairness and for his love and generosity for his family.
Dick is survived by his wife, Maurine; Rick and Catherine Miles of St. George; Kathryn "Sug" Miles of Reno, NV; and Robert and Debra Miles of Seattle, WA; 12 grandchildren and he was anticipating his first great-grandchild in August. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elma and Harold Miles, and his two older sisters, Ina Brooks and Bernice Pitchforth, and a granddaughter, Tracy Kamerath.
In deference to the aforementioned Monday and Thursday golfing buddies, funeral services will be Saturday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. at the Mulberry Chapel in Bloomington. Friends may call Friday, May 21, at the Spilsbury Mortuary 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the chapel. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT, (435) 673-2454.
The family wishes to extend a special expression of gratitude to Trudy Boyack and Southern Utah Hospice for their devoted and tender care.
In his memory, donations may be made to Dixie State College Scholarship Associates, 225 South 700 East, St. George, Utah 84770 and/or Heritage Choir Support Group, "Applause", P. O. Box 2783, St. George, Utah 84771.
Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove.