Duane Oliver Miles

Duane Oliver Miles passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 28, 1931, to Wilma Inez Grahnert and Floyd Cleir Miles. He grew up in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington, where he was active in Boy Scouts, received his Eagle Rank, and graduated from Stadium High School. After High School he worked for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company in Montana.
The next step was Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he graduated in Physics in 1953. He was married to Marla East in 1952 and their first child, Duane Oliver II was born shortly before graduation. After graduation, Duane was sent to White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he worked on tracking test missiles with radar. Six months later he was drafted and sent to Aberdeen, Maryland, where he was in the Computer Research Group at the Ballistics Research Laboratory. A second son, Sanford Lee, was born there. After 2 years in the Army, he was hired by Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Van Nuys, California and later moved to the Palo Alto, California division. The family settled in Sunnyvale where three daughters were born: Cynthia Ann, Susan Leile and Marcia Lynnae. Dad loved working for Lockheed and had a fulfilling career. After retirement in 1986 he consulted for several more years.
During his years in Sunnyvale, he raised his family and served in several bishoprics and as a stake missionary in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was always active in Boy Scouting and served many years as a scoutmaster. He participated with his sons and taught his daughters many scouting skills that they practiced when backpacking in the Sierras as a family for many summer vacations.
In 1976, Duane and Marla were divorced. Duane later married Margaret Crowley Hansen and was stepfather to her two children, David and Kristina.
Duane and Margaret retired to El Dorado, California where he built a house on 5 acres and enjoyed gardening and mowing the huge meadow which was their front yard. He loved seeing the deer, foxes and wild turkeys that frequented the property and toted his firearm along on walks to take care of the occasional rattlesnake. Grandchildren loved to swing on the tire swing that was down the hill and relax in the hammock that had its own pull string to keep them gently swaying. The gigantic, house-sized pile of jumbled, lichen-covered rocks was a playground of particular delight to the grandchildren.
Dad enjoyed hiking, backpacking, and canoeing. He loved this beautiful world and anything out-of-doors. He learned to downhill ski in his 50's. He loved attending the opera, ballet, symphony and listening to classical music. He enjoyed submitting many articles to the editorial page of the local El Dorado newspaper. He was an accomplished craftsman who created many works of art.
In the 1970's he distanced himself from the Church but always encouraged his children in their activity. He returned to the Church in 1997 and served as a ward missionary, Sunday school teacher and Sacramento temple worker. His marriage to Margaret ended in 1997.
A mutual friend introduced Duane to Karen Larsen Andrew, who he married in July of 2003. Karen's 6 boys and Duane's 5 children and all the grandchildren enjoyed visiting El Dorado. As a professional research librarian, Karen helped Duane compile his many writings and memories into an autobiography which was published for the family.
In 2017, after Karen's death, Duane moved to his son Duane's house in Mendon, Utah. He was loved by his ward family and by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren who visited. In 2023 he moved to his daughter Marcy's house in Saratoga Springs, where he was again surrounded by those who loved and cared for him.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Joy Miles Walker, his wives: Marla, Margaret and Karen, and by his son-in-law David Jackson.
He is survived by his children: Duane (Teri Wille), Sandy (Shelley Hill), Cindy Sager (Shannon), Susan Oliver (Richard), Marcy Jackson, and by Karen's sons: Jonathon, Craig (Karen), Bruce (Meg), Taylor (Taudine), Reed (Amy), Whitney (Kara) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Many sincere thanks to Hospice and to Dad's church congregation.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 12th, at the Harvest Hills LDS Chapel, 270 W Harvest Hills Blvd, Saratoga Springs, UT at 4:00 pm with a viewing one-hour prior.
Interment will be Saturday, April 13th, in the Malad City, Idaho Cemetery at 1:00 pm.