Miles Minges

1947 - 2023

Miles Minges

April 19, 1947 - September 15, 2023

Southport, North Carolina - Miles Austin Minges was an adventurous and talented soul. Born in New Bern, NC on April 19, 1947, he was a veteran, accomplished businessman, pilot, sailor, scuba diver, and so much more. Mike died at home in Southport, NC on September 15, 2023, surrounded by his children and well-loved by his friends. He lived the lyrics of a Jimmy Buffet song.

After the Airforce in the 1970's, Mike started running the Pepsi business in New Bern, just like his dad before him. He twice won the national per capita Pepsi sales award and helped pioneer innovation in the Pepsi industry by becoming the first bottler to install a computer system. This experience sparked an interest in computers that he maintained for the rest of his life.

Once he took off his tie, Mike grabbed the tiller and trimmed his jib toward his love for the ocean. His greatest joy was being offshore, spearfishing the ledges off Frying Pan Shoals with his friends. He longed for the expectation of the sun rising over the water and experienced many a long return home with the sun in his eyes. Everything was irie.

Mike had a wonderful sense of humor. One fun thing he loved was joking with his children about all of the limitless benefits of a good bucket. He would laugh that you can bail water with it, stand on it, store things in it, eat out of it, keep your head dry, and, yes, even kick it. I imagine that his bucket is made of gold in heaven.

Mike Minges was a man with a warm smile, kind blue eyes, and a joyous, generous, loving heart. He is survived by his children, Josh (md. Allison Minges) and Jennie (md. Ryan Hobbs), a handful of grandchildren, and many cousins. We will miss him.

A celebration of Mike's life is scheduled at the Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center on Saturday, October 7, from 11:00 to 1:00 (1 Leeds Rd, Boiling Spring Lakes, NC 28461).

It was a sweet life, lived by the salty sea.