Max Lee Miles passed away peacefully at his home November 21, 2023 surrounded by family and friends after an extended illness.
Max was the eldest of ten children born to W.B and Dorotha (Kugler) Miles on May 27, 1940 in Nevada, Missouri. The Miles family never stayed in one place too long, but a strong work ethic was instilled all the Miles children.
Max grew up working on the farm slopping hogs, feeding chickens and milking cows but he always found time to have fun. He enjoyed reading, dancing and drag racing, even getting his younger sister Joy involved in the fun (she would say she was better at dancing and drag racing than Max).
Max was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Kevin Lee Miles, David Shocklie , grandson, Michael Benjamin Miles, brother Gary Miles and sister Sondra Struble.
Max gradated from Fort Osage High School in Independence, Joined the Navy and married Carolyn Salmons, son Benjamin Lee Miles came along shortly after. Max joined the Navy along with his cousin Dennis Davis, Dennis was sent to Vietnam but Max was stationed in San Diego where he was an Aviation Electrician Second Class. He also maintained the airplanes used on the Blue Angels television show. The Navy is also where he met longtime friend Jerry Kozak.
Returning from the Navy he married Janice Kennon and had two more sons, Jerome Alan and Kevin Lee. Max owned and operated a gas station in Eldorado Springs. Max married Betty Goodman and had a daughter Carrie Colleen and adopted Martin, Tammy and Shane (which he raised as his own). Max found work at Peabody Coal Company and was a proud member of the Local 101 Union for 40 years where he operated Heavy Equipment until he retired.
Max married Mary Hunt in May 28, 1994 and he also gained 3 more children to add to the fold. Kimberly Shocklie, David Shocklie and Sean Shocklie. Making that 10 children that loved to call him dad. Max and Mary loved to dance and travel. They were known to two step, line dance and square dance. Their travels included Mexico, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy and his bucket list item, Australia.
Max is survived by his wife Mary, children Benjamin Miles ,Auxvasse, Missouri, Jerome Miles and wife Lorie, El Dorado Springs, Missouri, Martin Miles and wife Katesa, Drexel, Missouri, Tammy (Miles) Budd and husband Brian, Independence, Missouri, Robert Shane Miles and wife Wendy, Colwich, Kansas, Carrie Colleen (Miles) Woodward and husband Anthony, Fontana, California, Kimberly Shocklie, Sean Shocklie and wife Christina, all of Harrisonville, Missouri.
Grandchildren: Katie Miles, Thomas Falconer (Tiffany), Jennifer Combs (Dylan), Kara Miles, Jessica Miles, Kalvin Miles (T.J), Janet Miles, Amanda Catron (Doyle), Jonathan Miles, Nicholas Miles, Jenna Budd, Emily Budd, Matt Fuller, Merenda Fleishman, Sammy Williams, Antoinette Woodward, Vanessa Woodward, Aaron Woodward, Karissa McCormack (Kellon),Kylee Camarda (Chris), Leah Shocklie, Mikayla Shocklie, Nathan Shocklie, Olivia Shocklie.
Siblings Joy Stoll, Gail Fitzwater, Bill Miles, Gene Miles, Karen Folk, Earl Miles, Richard Miles. Eighteen Great Grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and pretty much anyone that met Max was treated as family.
Max will be missed dearly by all who knew him. However; He will is smiling down at us because he knows his last ride was in a Dodge, he was a true MOPAR man to the End!
Cremation with a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association and send in care of Dickey Funeral Home, PO Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.
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