Charles Kenneth Miles

Charles Kenneth Miles, was born in Los Angeles, California to Bernice Peck Miles and Charles Kenneth Miles on May 20, 1916. Though he endured a very difficult childhood, he found his grandparents, Charles Sweeting and Annie Rowland Miles to be a refuge, influence and strong example of Christian values. Their love and guidance caused him to search the scriptures and pray, seeking to know God. In the solitude of the desert he placed his faith in and committed his life to, Jesus Christ.

Charles became active in the college department and sang in the choir at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, where he met and later married his one and only, Blanche Arlene Phillips on May 9, 1942. They carried on a long- distance love affair for the three years they were apart as he faithfully served his beloved country in the Army Infantry and Army Corps during WWII.

Charles never shirked difficult labor and developed an amazing physical stamina that he exhibited his entire life. At age 18, during our nations struggle to recover from the Great Depression, he joined the civilian Conservation Corps working on the road construction, building a ranger station and fighting forest fires. This work took place in Northern California and Southern Oregon, especially along the Wild and scenic Rouge River. This enhanced his appreciation for God’s creation. Charles was an avid lover of nature and showed respect and tender attention to all wildlife, from insects to birds, and lizards to coyotes.

Charles graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1935 and went to study Engineering and Business Administration at USC. He worked in banking for 4 ½ years and took up the study of Meteorology at UCLA. During his military service he was assigned to an Army specialized training program at the University of Michigan and was trained in advanced Civil Engineering. Charles ranked “Expert Marksman” and was the top marksman in his entire battalion.

After the war, Charles returned home to Blanche and his first baby boy, Ronald. To support his family, he founded his own company, Crest Photographic. Working as an independent sales representative for wholesale photographic supply companies, he built a highly successful business. He retired after 33 years with a reputation for honesty, integrity and excellent service.

From the very beginning of their marriage, Blanche and Charles shared many outdoor adventures hiking, camping, and deep sea fishing. Charles regularly escaped big city life on the golf course of the Braemar Country Club, having been a lifetime member for 50 years since its inception as the Deauville. He golfed until the age of 91.

Charles had two siblings. He never stopped grieving the loss of his younger brother, Edward, who died at the age of 19 serving as a pilot in WWII. He enjoyed many years with his younger sister, Winifred, until she also preceded him in death.

Charles is survived by Blanche, his devoted wife of 68 years; children: son Ronald of Sherman Oaks, California; son Kenneth and his wife, Eva, of Dodson, Oregon; and daughter Anita of Burbank, California. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Christina, Aaron, Teresa, Elisa, Naomi, Jonathan, Ruth Anne, and Kelly. His 14 great-grandchildren were also his heart’s delight: Brandon, Derek, Kamber, Austin, Hannah Rose, Timothy, Thaddeus, Zachary, Nathaniel, Anya, Amy Faith, Megumi Hope, Makenna Marie and Cameron Rose.

Arrangements under the direction of Valley Funeral Home, Burbank, CA.