Alvin Ted Miles

Alvin Ted (Uncle Teddy) Miles passed away peacefully on Friday August 5, 2022, at the Butler Center for Rehab and Health, Butler, MO. He was recovering from Covid at his home in Rich Hill, MO when he had a stroke and was admitted to the facility where he received wonderful care during his brief stay. He was born to Wilburn and Dallie (Dodd) Miles on January 14, 1937, in Temple, TX. The family moved from Texas to Guthrie Oklahoma before settling in Lamar, MO where he attended school and worshiped with the Church of Christ.

He did several heroic things in his life but one of the most monumental was saving his sister Dallie from drowning. He joined the Marine Corp at a very young age and completed boot camp in San Diego, CA. He served about a year, was discharged, and then reenlisted a couple of years later and was stationed at Adact, AK where he was a prison guard. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and he qualified expert rifleman. He considered this his greatest honor because he outshot everyone in his unit including his Platoon Leader.

After military service he returned home to Lamar, MO and because he was a great dancer, handsome, and well dressed he captured the heart of Alice Ruby. They married and together they had two children in one year. Alvin worked throughout his life as a mechanic in auto, diesel, and aircraft. He was a machinist and operated ATM Machine Shop in Arcadia, KS and Rich Hill, MO. He had a brilliant, beautiful mind that enabled him to create inventions that were used on the farm and in life. His last employer was Bob Williams where he worked as a superintendent for Bob Williams Properties.
Alvin was a pilot and flew the Cessna airplane. He was a member of the American Legion 0067 in Rich Hill, MO where he served on the Military Honors team. He was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Alvin loved to drink coffee at Pete’s, eat biscuits and gravy from the Rich Hill Café, eat breakfast at the Kern Center, which he referred to as the “old folks’ home”, and hamburgers at Swope’s. He enjoyed visiting his local friends like Joe Terry, but his truly happy place was on his brother Louie’s farm drinking coffee at his kitchen table. Ted loved a “larpin good” meal.

Alvin’s greatest love was for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and spending time with them on holidays and racing stock cars at Nevada Speedway and he raced in the top 3 in the mechanic’s race at Humboldt KS Speedway. He loved his family deeply but due to life’s scars he often needed to love them from afar. Semper Fi Alvin Ted Miles. You will be missed.

Alvin is survived by his children John T. Miles of Pleasanton, KS, and Dollie (Sid) Shadden of Fulton, KS; grandsons Steven Shadden of Prescott, KS, Samuel Shadden of Fulton, KS, and David (Jackie) Shadden of Ft Scott, KS. He is also survived by great grandchildren Isaiah, Seth, Hailey, Olivia, and Brian; and a brother Kenneth Miles of Lamar, MO.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Louie Miles, Wilburn “Red” Miles, James Miles, Evelyn Long, Faye Kleeman, Hallie Compton, Dallie Howerton, and infant sister Mary Ann Miles; and by his great granddaughter Oaklynn.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Butler Meals on Wheels in care of the funeral home.

Alvin will be laying in state at Konantz Warden Funeral Home in Lamar, MO on Thursday August 11, 2022, from 9 AM to 7 PM and Friday August 12, 2022, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. A memorial service with military honors is planned for Saturday August 20, 2022, at 7:30 PM at Greenfield Cemetery. Please check the funeral home website or call to confirm service time