Sep 10, 1937 - Aug 1, 2021 Jack Miehls 83, passed away in his Redondo Beach home in the late hours of August 1, 2021 by the side of Barbara, his loving wife of 37 years. Jack loved living near the ocean. He grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Saint Monicas High School then onto Santa Monica City College before getting his degree from UCLA. He played on the baseball, basketball, football and swim teams for Saint Monicas and later was on the SMCC swim team. During the summers he was a Santa Monica Life Guard. He also served in the Army Reserves. After college he found work as a model and actor in print and television commercials. During that period he briefly lived in Manhattan, NY before returning to the beaches of Southern California (Manhattan, Redondo, Playa Del Rey) and the beginnings of a career in real estate with Dart Industries, then on to a career in commercial real estate with The Bruce Hanes Company. From there he kept his Broker's License with long time friend and business partner Eldon Griffis at the E.R. Griffis Company in Torrance. Those years brought a successful marriage to his wife Barbara in 1983 followed by the birth of their daughter Jackie and son Christian. Those happy parenting years expanded Jack's resume to include volunteering as an AYSO soccer coach for both children's teams and coaching Riviera Little League teams. He was also an enthusiastic member of the South High Baseball team Boosters Club and their Christmas tree fundraisers. Jack Loved sports. Fall weekends revolved around tailgating to UCLA football games or watching the away games with friends at home. He was a fan of the Angels, the Dodgers, the Lakers and the LA Kings. Every summer it was off to Manhattan or Hermosa Beach for the Taplan Life Guard Competitions. He liked to watch swim meets on TV and occasionally visit the Southern California campuses for a live competition. Olympic swim competitions were never missed. As long as he was able he swam laps in his backyard pool. Besides sports Jack adored live theater, whether at the Ahmanson, or more intimate venues. He enjoyed picnicking at the Hollywood Bowl and attending and exploring the wide range of cultural events that living in Los Angeles afforded. Like Randy Newman He Loved LA! His passion for travel reawakened once the children were old enough to appreciate the experience. Both children grew up to be enthusiastic travelers. A stroke in the spring of 2015 led to Jack's semi-retirement. However, after a heroic rehab effort, Jack's suitcases were packed and he and Barbara traveled extensively until mobility issues and the later stages of dementia ended that leg of the journey. To the end Jack was a sweet, loving man with an affectionate and playful nature and always an optimistic outlook. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Jacqueline (David) Opel, son Christian, grandson Jack Opel, his sister Marilyn (Lucky)Cole, nephew Chris Cole and nieces, Lauren, Michelle and Monique. An outdoor memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 21. For details, email [email protected], or go to www.LAfuneral.com.

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Published by Daily Breeze on Aug. 11, 2021.

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3 Entries

David Miehls

September 3, 2021

I'm so sorry to hear about Jack. I was told of his passing by Angie Fitzgerald. While I only saw Jack a few times on special occasions, I remember him and his family fondly. I didn't know he was a Bruin. I've been a Bruin football season ticket holder for years, attending UCLA briefly in the late 80's. Tomorrow, we'll raise a glass to Jack before the LSU game. Again, so sorry for your loss....

Ken Hall

August 12, 2021

I will always remember Jack and the good times we had in the St. Lawrence Men´s Group. May he Rest In Peace.

Tony Arce

August 11, 2021

So sorry to read today of Jack's passing today in the newspapers. I feel bad that I have not kept in touch over the years. Jack and I played volleyball back in the15th Street days in the 60's and traveled to Hawaii together. We stayed at his sisters house on the north shore. We played volleyball together at the Outrigger Canoe club while there. We hit all the islands which was my first trip there. I was a fireman for 42 years with the Manhattan Beach Fire Department and spent many days playing on the beach with Jack and many friends. I bought a 5 acre lot from Jack when he worked for Dart. Bear Valley Springs. I remember driving down the 405 freeway and see this giant billboard of Jack in his modeling days. I know Jack was a big UCLA fan and he invited me to one of their football games and for some reason I had to back out of the invite. I still feel bad about that after all these years. I wish I could have met the family and you should all be proud of him and what he built for you and the family. I lost my wife to ALS 15 years ago but have remarried and still live in Manhattan Beach. We are being extra careful because of covid and not having any contact with friends for the last year or so mainly to protect my mom who is 101 years old. For that reason we have not attended any events at all during these times. So sorry to not be at his memorial but he will always be remembered by me.

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