George
D. Miles Jr., 83, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on
March 23, 2022. He was born to George and Mildred Maltby Miles on June
26, 1938, in Jacksonville, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his wife Beth, and parents George and Mildred Miles.
He is survived by son Scott Miles and wife Sheri of Huntsville, Texas;
granddaughters Kathryn Altom and husband Marshall, of Huntsville, Texas;
Emily Eberle and husband Matt, of Hays, Kansas; stepsons Rusty Cosby
and wife Michelle of Kerrville, Texas; and Randy Cosby of Crockett,
Texas; great-grandchildren, Walker Altom, of Huntsville, Texas; and
Londyn, Greyson, and Owen Eberle of Hays, Kansas; sister Louann Miles of
Houston, Texas; and niece Jordan (J.R.) Carson. In addition, he is
survived by many other family members and friends who loved him.
George graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1961 with a
Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He then attended Southwestern
Graduate Banking School at Southern Methodist University. The majority
of his career was spent in the banking industry, retiring as executive
vice president for First National Bank of Huntsville after 22 years
before returning to serve as marketing coordinator on a part-time basis.
He served as president of the SHSU Alumni Association in 2006 and
was directly involved in the origination of the Alumni Garden, the
designation of the "Presidents Tree," the completion of the Bell Tower,
the restoration of the Old Main pipe organ and its installation in the
Peabody Library, and the initial establishment of regional alumni clubs
that led to greater participation in the association. He also initiated
an alumni committee that organized the successful movement to prevent
any possible name change for SHSU.
George's work within the
university and Huntsville communities was vast. He received the
Huntsville Citizen of the Year Award in 2007 and February 21, 2008 was
proclaimed George Miles Day in the City of Huntsville. He also received
the SHSU Alumni Association Service Award in 2008, the Edwin G. Sandhop
Spirit of Huntsville Award in 2013, the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber
of Commerce Mance Park Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and was named
a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 2014. In 2018, he was
named to the Wall of Honor in the SHSU College of Humanities and Social
Sciences. In addition to serving as chair of the board for the
Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce, Miles also served as
founding chair of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory
Board, as a member of SHSU's President's Circle, the Executive
Leadership Council, Sam Houston Memorial Museum Board and the Mass
Communication Advisory Board.
Miles' love for SHSU knew no
bounds as he was always seen wearing orange and even named his cocker
spaniel, Sammy. His favorite hobby was volunteering for the community.
His funeral service will be Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 2 p.m. at
Huntsville Church of Christ, 3737 Hwy 30 West, Huntsville, Texas.
Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 1 p.m.
George will be laid to rest at Brooke Cemetery in Huntsville.
In
lieu of flowers, please make donations in George's memory to the Sam
Houston State University Alumni Association, or the charity of your
choice. Memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com.