George Lee Miles Jr, age 73, affectionately known as "Grandpa Books" to
his grandchildren, and "Coach" to many others, passed away
unexpectedly on Thursday, May 28, 2020, while golfing in St. George,
Utah, doing something he loved.
unexpectedly on Thursday, May 28, 2020, while golfing in St. George,
Utah, doing something he loved.
George was born in Tooele, Utah, on April 2, 1947, to George Lee Miles
and Cumora Gardner. He was the oldest of 5 children. He lived his early
childhood in Clearfield, Utah, playing Varsity basketball and serving as the
president of the National Honor Society, then graduating in 1971 from the
University of Utah with a BS in political science. He served two years in
the Central German mission.
and Cumora Gardner. He was the oldest of 5 children. He lived his early
childhood in Clearfield, Utah, playing Varsity basketball and serving as the
president of the National Honor Society, then graduating in 1971 from the
University of Utah with a BS in political science. He served two years in
the Central German mission.
While working at the University of Utah as a police officer he met and
married the love of his life, Nancy Jorgensen, solemnized in the Salt Lake
Temple on January 12, 1973.
married the love of his life, Nancy Jorgensen, solemnized in the Salt Lake
Temple on January 12, 1973.
Two months after they were married, George said "I think I will playa little
volleyball at the YMCA." That led to his 40-plus years' involvement in all
aspects of the sport, including coaching at the college and high school
levels, club director, and referee.
volleyball at the YMCA." That led to his 40-plus years' involvement in all
aspects of the sport, including coaching at the college and high school
levels, club director, and referee.
George's playing career as middle blocker took him and Nancy on many
adventures around the United States, including playing at the World
Masters in Edmonton, Canada, winning many medals at Huntsman Games
and USA Volleyball Nationals as a member of Kings Mountain Fog.
adventures around the United States, including playing at the World
Masters in Edmonton, Canada, winning many medals at Huntsman Games
and USA Volleyball Nationals as a member of Kings Mountain Fog.
George founded the Northern Utah Volleyball Academy and was currently
the Utah AAU District Volleyball Chair directing tournaments attended by
not only Utah teams, but surrounding states as well.
the Utah AAU District Volleyball Chair directing tournaments attended by
not only Utah teams, but surrounding states as well.
Throughout their marriage they had many adventures attending countless
volleyball matches, musical concerts, rugby games, family history trips,
grandchildren's events, and spontaneous visits with family. He had many
interests and hobbies; raising heirloom tomatoes, playing golf, reading and
learning, photographing the Milky Way and Nancy's favorite Osprey nest in
Yellowstone, and learning new languages. He loved spending time with his
family.
volleyball matches, musical concerts, rugby games, family history trips,
grandchildren's events, and spontaneous visits with family. He had many
interests and hobbies; raising heirloom tomatoes, playing golf, reading and
learning, photographing the Milky Way and Nancy's favorite Osprey nest in
Yellowstone, and learning new languages. He loved spending time with his
family.
He served faithfully and diligently in many church callings, including as an
ordinance worker for 9 years at the Bountiful Temple, and as bishop for
7-1/2 years in the Kaysville Utah South Stake in the Kaysville 14th, Ponds
Park and Shadowbrook wards.
ordinance worker for 9 years at the Bountiful Temple, and as bishop for
7-1/2 years in the Kaysville Utah South Stake in the Kaysville 14th, Ponds
Park and Shadowbrook wards.
He loved working with the youth, whether it be helping them increase their
testimonies, or helping them increase their skills in volleyball.
testimonies, or helping them increase their skills in volleyball.
George was always reading, especially gospel topics. He loved to learn
new things and had a solid testimony of the gospel and his Savior, Jesus
Christ. He was a beloved gospel doctrine teacher and was always looking
forward to the next topic discussion he would lead.
new things and had a solid testimony of the gospel and his Savior, Jesus
Christ. He was a beloved gospel doctrine teacher and was always looking
forward to the next topic discussion he would lead.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, a son, Garrett Lee Miles, of Erie,
Colorado, and a daughter, Brooke (CeJay) Golightly, of Soda Springs,
Idaho, and four grandchildren, Brecklyn, Carson, Sierra, and Callie
Golightly; two brothers, Randy (Sandee) Miles, Syracuse, Utah; Kay (Mike)
Miles, Kaysville, Utah; two sisters, Daria (Steve) Blodgett, Ogden, Utah,
and Kathi (Brent) Mayfield, Layton, Utah; two brothers-in-law, Dean
Jorgensen, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jim Jorgensen, Manchester, New
Hampshire, and many nieces and nephews he dearly loved. Preceding
him in death are his parents and parents-in-law.
Colorado, and a daughter, Brooke (CeJay) Golightly, of Soda Springs,
Idaho, and four grandchildren, Brecklyn, Carson, Sierra, and Callie
Golightly; two brothers, Randy (Sandee) Miles, Syracuse, Utah; Kay (Mike)
Miles, Kaysville, Utah; two sisters, Daria (Steve) Blodgett, Ogden, Utah,
and Kathi (Brent) Mayfield, Layton, Utah; two brothers-in-law, Dean
Jorgensen, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jim Jorgensen, Manchester, New
Hampshire, and many nieces and nephews he dearly loved. Preceding
him in death are his parents and parents-in-law.
A Viewing will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2020 from 6-8 p.m at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, UT 84025. The Funeral service will be Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., 950 South Main Street, Kaysville, UT 84037 (Shadowbrook Chapel) with a viewing before the service from 9-10:30 a.m. Internment will be at Kaysville City Cemetery.
