In Honor of Lowell Miles

Lowell turned 86 years old on January 14 and passed on January 30, 2023 

Lowell was the youngest of 5 children born to Hubert and Bernice Miles in Ontario, OR. The family moved to Portland, OR in 1942 where he grew up on a small farm on Columbia Blvd. He attended Benson High School where he graduated in 1955.

After graduation he enlisted in the Navy Reserves where he served on The USS Redfish Submarine from 1957 to 1961 when he was honorably discharged.

In 1958 he married Janet Huston and together they had 3 daughters, the oldest Colleen Conner born in 1959, Middle daughter Merilee Hinkle born in 1961 and youngest daughter Lori Olund born in 1963. Lowell and Janet have 7 grandchildren: Steven Hinkle, Lindsy Hinkle Brownell, Ashley Hinkle Buller, Nicholas Conner, Stephanie Conner Daum, Alex Luchak & Justin Luchak they also have 14 Great-Grandchildren.

Lowell started and incorporated his first business in 1963, Molded Fiberglass & Plastics, which later became Miles Fiberglass & Composites Inc.  His Company celebrates 60 years in February!

His daughter Lori is President of the Company working there for 40 years and daughter Merilee has worked as HR Manager for 30 years. Lori’s Husband Forrest is Production Manager working for the company for 26 years, Merilee’s husband & COO Craig has been at the company 45 years. Lowell’s grandsons Alex and Justin Luchak as well as Nicholas Conner also works at the company.

Lowell and Janet believed in philanthropy, giving so much to the causes they believed in. Lowell has served on countless boards, committees, and Associations over his 60 years in Business, always willing to mentor and serve to better our community and State and the Industry that he Loved.

Lowell and Janet were married 64 years, they built a home in Happy Valley in 1972 where Janet still resides.  They also have a beautiful Family home on the Kalama River built for the family to have gatherings to ensure the making of memories they have been doing since 1942 when Janet’s parents first bought the property.  The River is their “Happy Place” and they love to share it with all that will come. 

Lowell was proceeded in death by his parents Hubert and Bernice Miles, siblings Ralph Miles, Reata Horney, Donald Miles, Lowell is survived by his sister Doreene Miles.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Clackamas Community College in Honor of Lowell on March 12 with details to be announce soon.