Janet, Bill, Adam and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Raleigh’s passing.  My mom worked as a receptionist at Star and Crescent for many years.   Raleigh was always good to my mom and for years after her retirement he would occasionally check on her.  They reminisced over people they worked with through the years, shared stories about their grandchildren and talked about their health struggles.  Raleigh was a good person and he will be missed
Cathy Strong
(Gloria Perry’s daughter)

So sorry to hear of Raleigh’s passing.  My late husband, Steve Grooms, was a close friend to the Miles boys, especially Danny. We had the pleasure of having Raleigh over one night to grill out when he was back in Coward visiting!  What a great  guy! My condolences to your whole family. Your love for him is very evident in all the pics. The service was such a nice tribute to him.

Miles Family,

We are so sorry for your loss.  Raleigh was always a joy to be around.  His love for his family and especially his grandchildren was second to none.  On our many trips to California it was always a pleasure to see Raleigh, whether he was just visiting at your house or at one of the kids ball games.  He was a good role model for your kids and will be missed tremendously, but never forgotten!

Jeff & Keri Whaley

We are Raleighs neighbors Dawn & Jeff Silva (sorry I cannot attend his service in that I am down with a bad back).  Raleigh was a great neighbor and friend. He caught me pulling weeds and told me he was buying the home behind us. We discussed the property and I gave him a tip to have that 'septic tank' certified in that I knew it was compromised. He was so thrilled with the tip it started a great friendship. We had him over for many bbq's and he loved his Crown Royal. Many laughs. My favorite story is he asked me what are all the pink flowers coming up in his yard. I said they are called naked ladies. I said Raleigh now you can tell all your buddies there are naked ladies in your yard! He got quite a kick out of that. He would often call to chew the fat and share confidential stories. I will miss his calls. He was a great guy, one of a kind. The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of Raleigh shall never pass away. Rest in peace my friend!

Raleigh was my brother-in-law.  From the first time I met him I knew he was special.

Raleigh’s dad was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1983 and was only given a few months to live.  Raleigh, Jan and the boys came to SC to help take care of Mr Miles and spend time with the family.  The brothers and their families would visit.  We all enjoyed the lake, bon fires and listening to the stories when the Miles’ brothers were young.

Raleigh was a very kind, generous and loving man who fought hard not to leave his family until he could not fight any longer.  We will miss him but his memory will live on through his family.

Love to you all
Sue Miles

I remember Raleigh as being well liked in our community and very popular in school.  He had an easy smile and a way of naturally making friends.  He especially enjoyed hunting, and he taught me how to hunt and how to appreciate the forests and bays adjacent to our dairy farm.  
I remember one incident that describes who Raleigh was as a person.  I believe he was twelve or thirteen years old when our house caught fire one cold winter night while we were sleeping.  Mom and Dad awoke and somehow got us all outside to safety.  Mother gathered us younger brothers into a car parked a safe distance from the house where we watched flames consume the only home we had ever known.  Raleigh remained near the house with Allen, a field hand who was temporally staying with us because he had nowhere else to stay.  Their initial intent was to salvage anything they could from the house, but they realized that the walls and ceiling in some of the rooms were already beginning to collapse, making any further attempts to re-enter too dangerous.  
Allen was a family friend to all of us, a farm worker who had lost an arm in a long-ago farm accident.  He was visibly devastated when he realized that all his irreplaceable records, personal mementos, and other such personal belongings which were stored in an old wooden trunk in his room were about to be destroyed.  Raleigh recognized how important these items were to Allen.  And without hesitation he ran into the burning building and somehow retrieved Allen’s trunk and his old shotgun which was situated beside it.  Those were the only things salvaged from our home. 
This is the way I remember Raleigh, who would go the extra mile to help a friend in need.

Dan Miles

I have only met Raleigh a few times while attending the Mariners Marlin reunions with my dad. The smiles, laughs, and memories that these men shared always warmed my heart so much. You couldn’t, and still can’t, find a better group of men. Raleigh was special. He was a good friend to my mom after my dad died and for that I will always be thankful. I feel lucky and Blessed to have known Raleigh. - Jenifer Crouch (daughter of Johnny Crouch)

Raleigh was a dear friend who became family over more than 20 years of shared love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. From the very beginning, he welcomed us with open arms, and through countless holidays and gatherings, we built a Southern California family that always felt like home because of him.
 
Our bond was made even deeper by the love we shared for our children and grandchildren—the ties that brought us together and the joy that kept us connected. Raleigh was a man of deep faith, a devoted patriot, and a truly humble soul. He carried himself with quiet strength and a generosity of spirit that touched everyone around him.
 
One memory that will always stay with me is the day Raleigh shared his love of the sea and his career. He showed us the waterfront where he worked and treated us to a tugboat ride. His pride and joy were evident in every word and smile that day—it was a beautiful glimpse into his world.
 
Raleigh’s presence brought a sense of warmth and belonging to every family gathering, and his absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled. Yet, as we come together in the days and years ahead, we will honor his memory by cherishing the moments he made so special.
 
Thank you, Raleigh, for the love, laughter, and memories you gave us. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and you will be deeply missed.
 
Howard and Roni Whaley

Sorry to hear of Raliegh's passing.  We served together in VP50 as aircrewmen, he in crew one, I in crew eight.  Raliegh was one heck of a nice guy and good sailor.  It was a privilege to serve with both Raliegh and Doug.  

Bill Heston
VP-50  1963-1966

In 1966 we returned to the states from overseas. Raliegh and I were sent to forklift school at North Island. Raliegh had a cast on one of his feet, while we were gimping over to the school he commented " I don't know why they're send to this school they know I'm getting out in a few weeks. " Later we decided if his foot didn't heal, he could always find a job as a forklift operator.
Our deepest condolences to the Miles family.
Nick & Deb Ream

I am so sorry about your dad and the man I have loved all of his life.  He made it very easy to love him.  I remember when he lived in Florence and worked for the telephone company and when Jan came to Florence to take him back to California and sure enough he was only to glad to follow her back and he said he loved her just real good.  I remember going to court to lie for him about a speeding ticket on second loop road.  Yea we beat the ticket.  This is not the only thing that will keep me out of heaven.  And when Wanda and I went to California to see him and Bill and Adam the laughs we had there was not one  night that we went to bed before three o’clock . I am sure it was Wanda that threw the towel first.  He also offered her his truck to drive. Me no way in hell was I going to drive.  Wanda and I took the bus down to a little mall in the Valley we went in one store and I picked up one pocket purse and it was marked fifty two forty two. Well I got to the counter and I had missed read it true value was $5242. Wanda cracked up but then I looked at her and said “ Wanda have you been in my purse then I think she passed out. There is not a day that I do not think about her.  I never did ask for a whole lot but I have buried five siblings and  Wanda and now your dad. I was so mad but  then I to had to take God off shelf one night and God said to me “Dotsy I gave them to you for eighty years that is the best I could do and I just dwell on the good times and there was so many of the,  so at 84 I just count my blessings and there so many.  Just know that you were loved dearly by you mom and dad. And I fit in there some place you know you’re my favorite right. He touched so many in his life and he was ready to make this journey so stay in touch. Always Dotsy.

I  am very saddened to hear of Raleigh Jr’s passing. Although I have known him my entire life as my cousin,  it wasn’t until we shared an apartment many years ago, before he and Jan married, that I grew to admire his strength of character and wisdom. These were qualities that led me many times to seek advice from Raleigh in matters of my own personal life and it was some of this advice that to this day I attribute to my being married to Debbie, advice for which I will forever be grateful. I have memories of many adventures we shared during that time and these memories will always make me smile. Raleigh Jr. will surely be missed by many, but through Jan, Adam, Bill and their families he will live on.

Dad, I always looked to you for wisdom and guidance.  You were "our" rock....the foundation we could always count on. I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for us. Your legacy will be passed down through your grandkids who miss you so much, but I know you are shining in God's grace and amongst the stars now. I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon.

I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Miles in my heart, most of which involve his grandkids and my kids. A kind man who loved being a grandfather. Truly a wonderful man and a cherished friend. You will be missed – Rest in peace.

Raleigh,
There is a big hole in my heart.  We shared so much over the years,
the most important being two great sons and the grandchildren that followed.
I will miss your optimism, your guidance (which I seldom followed) and your "tell it like it is" old school approach to life. You called me your best friend and I feel blessed beyond words for that place in your life as you know I felt the same.
May you rest in peace and love.
Janet

OBITUARY

Captain Raleigh J. Miles Jr.

June 5, 1943 – December 17, 2024

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

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