Miles Kelley was born in Stockton, CA on June 6, 1952. He died in Hughson, CA on June  29, 2014 after a lengthy illness. He resided in Manteca, CA for most of his life.
   He was preceded in death by his mother; Trena Kelley, his father; Jack Kelley, Oceano, CA.  Miles has three children; Bryant Kelley, Grants Pass, OR; Heidi Kelley, Manteca, CA and Cameron Kelley, Grants Pass, OR. He has four grandchildren; Scott Kelley, Matthew Kelley, Emma Kelley and Brody Kelley, Grants Pass, OR.
   He is survived by his beloved former wife, Ruth Kelley,  Manteca.  He is survived by loving siblings: Dan Bruton, Dimmitt, TX; Kalleen Corley, Oceano, CA; Lori Tubbs, Manteca, CA and Kathleen Skudstad, Grants Pass, OR. Miles loved and was loved by his family.  He held a special place in the hearts of his good friends and loved ones.
   Miles lived his childhood in the California foothill community of Fricot Ranch School where his father was employed. The Sierra Nevada mountains and wildlife held a lifetime fascination for Miles. He loved to roam the trails and backwoods areas and climbed trees and picked berries and traversed creek beds as a young boy. He always said he had an idyllic childhood.
   He graduated from Manteca High School in 1971 where he was involved with the track team, wrestling, Key Club, choir and drama clubs.
   Miles attended college at Brigham Young University majoring in history and later graduated from Sacramento State University with a major in communications. He worked for Dunn and Bradstreet and Southern Pacific Railroad.  He sang with the Melody Makers in Modesto and was active in the Manteca Senior Citizen’s Center. He  was Past President of the Manteca Kiwanis Club and co-chaired the Pumpkin Fair event.  Miles was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint’s Church in Manteca. He was an advocate for Neighborhood Watch and for services  for handicapped in Manteca. Miles had a wide variety of interests, but especially loved visiting with people and watching old movies and television series. He had a mind for history and could quote battle statistics and generals and war strategy. He was an interesting and friendly person who had a wonderful enthusiasm for life. He maintained a spirit of optimism in the face of debilitating health conditions. He had a bigger-than-life personality and will never be forgotten.
   Services will be held at the LDS Church East Union Building, 1233 Northgate Drive, Manteca, CA 95336, on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 10 am. Private committal at Park View Cemetery in French Camp, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane, Manteca, CA 95337 or Hughson Hospice House, 2201 Euclid Ave., Hughson, CA 95326.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Monday, July 14, 2014