Kenneth Miles

Kenneth James Ken Miles passed away at his home on February 20th, 2013. He was ninety years old. His life and his victory over death will be celebrated at the First Baptist Church in Ponca City on Saturday, February 23rd at 2:00 p.m. Internment will follow at IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Ken began a very active life on July 20, 1922, in Garber, Oklahoma. He was the son of Kennie J. and Gladys Ellis Miles. His family moved to Ponca City in the early 20s and Ken graduated from PoHi in 1940. He then attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College for two years.

At the outbreak of World War Two, Ken enlisted in the Army Air Force and achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant. He served in the ferrying division of the Air Transport Command as a flight engineer, and delivered heavy bombers across the globe. He logged thousands of hours in the new B29 Superfortress, and delivered bombers to the Silverplate project, a top secret operation that ultimately dropped the atomic bomb on Japan.

After the war, he returned to Ponca City and delivered gasoline. On a delivery to the Walter Deffner farm south of Ponca, he met and became smitten with Pauline, the younger daughter of Walter and Emma. Although his career in the petroleum business was short lived, his love affair with Pauline lasted for over sixty four years. They were married in Ponca City in 1948, and established the Miles insurance agency.

Ken was a natural born salesman, and he eventually became a general manager for United Founders Life. He won many awards and even won a new piano. Instead of coming home with the piano, he used it for a down payment on a Hammond Organ. Ken practiced on his new toy until the wee hours every night. His friend Wallace Edwards catapulted him to stardom when he asked him to perform at the grand opening of his new tractor dealership. His first performance was on a truck bed amid combines and farm equipment.

He played the organ, met new friends and tried to sell them life insurance. He soon realized they were much more interested in buying a Hammond organ than buying a policy. In 1966, Ken, Pauline and the family embarked on a new career when they opened their first Hammond Organ Studio at Sixth and Hartford in Ponca City. Ken did not wait for people to come to the store to buy organs, he took the organs to the people. He spent countless weekends on the road playing in country clubs, county fairs, Safeway supermarkets and anywhere else he could draw a crowd. He befriended many churches and evangelists and his reputation spread across the United States. His little store in Ponca City delivered instruments to over fortytwo states and eight foreign countries. He served on industry advisory boards with big city dealers who had never heard of Ponca City. Stores were eventually opened in Enid, Oklahoma City and Wichita.

During this time, Ken became involved in real estate. He developed Miles Ridge Estates, Milestone Center office complex and Milestone II Shopping Center.

In 2006, Ken was honored as Oklahomas Outstanding Older Worker for his many accomplishments, and received his award at the National conference in Washington, D.C. He continued working until 2012, when the Ponca City location of Miles Music was closed and all operations were moved to Enid.

Ken was a member of the Ponca City AMBUCS, and was a Big Hatter. He worked countless hours for the organization, and helped organize the Ponca City Grand Prix. He served as chapter president in 1953. His love for the organization inspired all his sons, his grandson and daughters in law to follow in his footsteps. He had been a member of the First Baptist Church for his entire life, and as a child played the piano for the mens bible class. Ken and Pauline are active members of the disciples Sunday School class. Ken had been a member of the Masonic Lodge since 1947 and was a 32nd degree mason.

Ken is survived by the love of his life, Pauline, His sons Gary and wife Alvie of Ponca City, Kip and wife Karen of Enid, Kelly and wife Shelli of Colorado Springs and his daughter Nikki Ephraim and husband Phil of Evanston, Ill. He leaves behind thirteen grandchildren and thirteen greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Bob Miles, sister Vivian Lanquist and grandchild Meredith Miles. His surviving sister Martha McCoy resides in Noble, Oklahoma.

Ken touched many lives during his time on this earth. He shared his love of music and brought smiles to many faces. Although he devoted countless hours to his business and civic projects, his passion was his family. Nothing meant more to him than his wife and children. The bond that exists between the members of his family is a result of his devotion to them and his insistence on their love for one another.

The Miles family wishes to thank the EMTs of the Ponca City Fire Department, the emergency room staff at Ponca City Hospital, Kelly and Alice at North Central Rehabilitation and Dr. Sparks for their assistance and compassion.

Those wishing to honor Kens memory may do so by contributing to AMBUC charities or to the El Faro mission program established by Phil and Nikki Ephraim. Donations may be made through Grace Memorial Chapel.

If you learned to play on a piano or organ you purchased from Ken, go in and play him a song. He would be pleased.