MYLES JOSEPH AARONSON

MYLES JOSEPH AARONSON, 83, left this world on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Myles was born in Joplin, Missouri on January 15, 1927 the first child of Selig and Miriam Aaronson. Myles spent his youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with his siblings Alan and Terry. After serving in the Navy the last year of WWII he returned to Austin, Texas on a train where he met his lifelong friend and neighbor Morris Atlas. In Austin he enrolled at the University of Texas where he earned his degree in accounting. While there he developed a formula for calculating a future value for certain business situations that was published in several textbooks. However the most noteworthy accomplishment of his college career was his engagement to Sylvia Lack Aaronson. Sylvia and Myles were married in Houston in 1948. They moved to McAllen where together they raised their four children Lee, Julie, Carolyn and Vicki. Soon after arriving Myles began working at Lacks Furniture stores for Sylvia's father Sam Lack. Within a few years Myles determined he would be happier owning his own stores. In 1954 he opened his own Lacks store in Weslaco and later in McAllen. In years to come he would open stores in Brownsville and Harlingen. Myles' used his mathematical and financial prowess to develop a method for calculating installment interest in a situation where even monthly payments were made for all but the last month of a contract. This simplified payments for both the customers and the stores. Later he developed early computer systems which input punched paper tape from cash registers. Long before almost any stores had computerized registers Lacks stores were using an online real time system that was his vision. In his later years he left the valley to expand his knowledge in Computer Science. Myles was unusually generous in any number of situations. Upon reaching his 60thbirthday he took all of his children, his grandchildren, his siblings, their spouses and their children, and his mother to the Bahamas to celebrate New Year's together. At his retirement he brought a $100 bill for each employee of Lacks. During the holiday season he would always stop by Avalon Drug Coffee shop with a gift for all those who had served him breakfast so many years. After retiring from Lacks Myles spent his time playing with his grandchildren Justin Aaronson, Seth Aaronson, Rebecca Aaronson, Jeff Keim, Danny Keim, Michael Keim, Emily Hutson, Andrew Hutson and Steven Hutson who meant the world to him. His happiest times were the summer vacations with all of the grandchildren playing at various vacation homes they rented. Another of his favorite activities was the men's trip to Vegas with the male members of the Aaronson tribe. He loved to shoot dice and listen to everyone rattle each other's cages. His last few years he tenderly cared for his ailing wife Sylvia who died just a few months before their 60th anniversary in 2007. Last year his daughter Julie Keim also predeceased him. It was a difficult time. Myles moved with his assistant Allyson Andrews to Austin to begin a new life there. Unfortunately his health failed him. His bright blue eyes which lit the room up when he smiled will be missed. His quick wit and gentlemanly charm was always magnetic. Perhaps his greatest quality was his warm gentle acceptance that made strangers who encountered him feel safe. Never a procrastinator when he was ready to do something he wasted no time. He will be missed. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 13, 2010 in the Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery. Rabbi Roy Walter, Rabbi Robert Haas and Cantor Vadim Tunitsky will officiate.