Gerald Miles

Jerry Miles, 82 of Spearfish passed away on December 29, 2019 at Ft Meade VA Medical Center.

Memorial services were held  on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Inurnment followed at Black Hills National Cemetery with full military honors near Sturgis. 

Jerry Miles was born in 1937 at Lemmon, SD, to Kenneth and Cleone Miles. He grew up on a ranch with one brother and one sister. He enjoyed his grade school years while attending a one room school for grades 1-8. While there were no organized sports to play at this level, Jerry has many fond memories of recess and roller skating during these years.

Jerry’s grandfather, Benjamin Atkinson, “Pappy” had a huge influence on his life. Even though he lived five miles away, Jerry enjoyed spending countless hours by helping him. An occasional fishing trip made the memories of time with his grandfather especially memorable.

After his grade school years, Jerry attended high school at Bison and Lemmon. While in high school, he enjoyed his agriculture classes the most and looked forward to them each day.

After graduating from high school, college wouldn’t be the next step in Jerry’s life since Uncle Sam had another plan. Jerry enlisted and spent four years in the military. Those four years have special memories for Jerry as he was able to travel to places such as Paris and London. In true Jerry fashion, he has no regrets about serving his four years, but instead accepted the call to duty and served his country well.

Jerry’s life was blessed when he married his German born wife, Edith. Together they have three children, Christel, Wes, and Stephanie. With the addition of grandchildren and a great grandchildren, Jerry is quick to point out that life is great and his family is very close to his heart.

During his life, Jerry has had the privilege of working many jobs. He has been involved in ranching, operating a motel, gas station, and managing an apartment house, as well as an electrician, school maintenance, and part-time tree stump removal business.

Jerry has stayed close to his Western South Dakota roots. Settling in Spearfish was a perfect match for Jerry. He enjoys reading about the local history of the area he calls home. Taking in a good rodeo is perfect entertainment for Jerry. As he talks of his love of Spearfish, he is quick to tell you it is a great place to live as it is close to a lot of places, we don’t experience severe weather, and it is just a nice place to live!

In his retirement, Jerry enjoyed going on wagon trains and trail rides. He built his own buggy, and used that buggy while on the rides. When not driving his team, Jerry would often be seen riding his mule. He also had a love for Ford tractors.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Edith of Spearfish; children, Christel Miles, Wes (Dawn) Miles, and Stephanie (Justin) Crago; grandchildren, Jennifer (Zach) Gaaskjolen, Turner Miles, Brian Miles, Fallon Miles, Remi Crago and Gray Crago; three great-grandchildren; brother, Norman and sister, Arlene. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Conner Miles.

Jerry’s family would also like to thank the wonderful caring staff at the VA Hospice facility.

Arrangements were under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com