Floyd W. Miles Jr.

Floyd Warren Miles Jr., 90 of Grand Rapids MI passed away Friday, May 3, 2019 at his home with his family by his side.

At an early age, he had shown a love of sports, especially basketball but it was his love for country that was his true calling.  He joined the Air Force at the age 18 where he went on to serve as the first African American Boom Operator on refueling planes during the Korean War.  After his four year commission, he spent an additional 16 years in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a Master Technical Sergeant.

Floyd was employed by General Motors as a Journeyman for 42 ½ years while obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in History from Grand Valley State University.

He is survived by his wife Katherine (Mapp) Miles of 69 years who he lovingly referred to as his Florida Tangerine, two sons Dana Warren and Quentin Lance and two daughters Lesley (Miles) Wilson and Robbin (Miles) Floyd and brother Frankie Miles of Tracy California.  He has seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Floyd Miles Sr., his mother Odetta Alexander and brother Richard Alexander.

Floyd was a man of few words but his knowledge and depth of world affairs especially history was expansive. Among his hobbies, he was known for his love for the Detroit Lions, traveling with his wife, socializing with friends and spending time at their lake property in Woodland Park MI.

The family will greet visitors on Thursday, May 9 from 10am – noon with a chapel service following at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home with the Reverend Charles Hutchinson officiating.  Interment will be at Kent Memorial Gardens.    Contributions in memory of Floyd Miles may be made to the Veterans Wounded Warrior Project. 

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