Miles Miller

1935 - 2025

Miles M. Miller, age 90, "slipped the surly bonds of earth" on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2025-at the 11th hour-fittingly for a man who served his country for twenty-two years in the United States Air Force.

Miles was born May 13, 1935. He was raised in the small town of Cokeville, Wyoming. He attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri. He returned home to attend Cokeville High School in 1950. After graduating, he attended the University of Wyoming. He learned early the value of hard work, family and friendship. Those values shaped every chapter of his life. He joined the United States Air Force in June, 1954. He served until his retirement in September, 1976. His Air Force career took him around the world, but no matter where he traveled, he carried the spirit of growing up in a small town and the values he learned.

Miles was an avid outdoorsman in the fullest sense and in every season: fishing, hunting, skiing, rafting and exploring the backcountry-always preferring rugged wilderness over established campsites. In later years, when many friends were slowing down, Miles bought a jet boat and embraced new adventures with the Western Whitewater Association. There he found another community of friends. He spent countless days on the water, carving memories through rapids and quiet stretches alike. His love of rivers and wild places became a legacy he passed to his children. We grew up sharing his love of nature and all places hard to get to.

Miles was so lucky in love. After three months of dating, he married Carol Hill in 1959, and their marriage lasted until her passing in 2008. Later he married his childhood friend, Jackie Holmes. They spent time in Arizona and Idaho, squeezing in trips to Mexico with dear friends. A few years after Jackie passed, Karen Frahm entered his life. She brightened the years that followed and shared the final chapter of his life with love and care.

After retiring, Miles spent much of his time in Quartzsite, Arizona. He became part of a new community, enjoying the sun, riding his RZR and being with good friends. He loved music, dancing and singing. If a karaoke machine was near he was all in. He could talk a band into letting him onstage with them. Their hesitation would turn into smiles when he wowed the audience when he started singing. His playful renditions of the "Moo cow song," (Morning, Noon and Night) will forever echo in the memories of those who knew and loved him.

Miles had a sharp sense of humor, a deep love for people, and unwavering patriotism. He served with pride, lived with enthusiasm, pushed through hardship with grit and fierce determination, and-true to the spirit of a Sinatra song, did it "his way."

He was a devoted father to his children, Stephen, Kelly, and Michael. He loved all his Arnoldi nieces and nephews from Rock Springs, Wy. Many, many memories of Miles stretch from their childhood to adulthood. They will always have Pinedale smiles and laughter.

We never thought that this force of nature would ever stop. He will be deeply missed and remembered by family, friends, and all who had the privilege of sharing a sandy beach, riverbank, campfire, or song with him and a beer or three.

Miles is preceded in death by his father, Virgil Miller, mother, Helen (Leon) Ocafrain, younger brother, Robert Miller, wives Carol (Hill) Miller and Jackie (Holmes) Miller. He is survived by his wife, Karen (Frahm) Miller, sons Stephen Miller, Michael (Diana) Miller, daughter Kelly Miller, and grandchildren, Triston, Hanna and Katie Miller, cousin Linda Coffmanand all the Arnoldis in Wyoming. A Celebration of Life will be held December 4 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Nampa Elks Lodge / 1116 1st St. in Nampa.