RemembEring Lowell Miles

1937-2023

CCC Foundation Board Member: 1988 - 2022

Foundation Board President: 1994 - 1995 and 2008 - 2009

Lowell was dedicated to serving the Clackamas community and the students of Clackamas Communtity College. He was an active member of the Clackamas Community College Foundation board of directors for an incredible 34 years, including serving 2 terms as board president. 

Lowell, and his wife Janet, founded the Miles Family Manufacturing Endowment in 1998 to provide scholarships for CCC manufacturing students. Lowell was also instrumental in the founding of the Military Familes Endowment in 2007. This endowment provides scholarships for veterans and their families. 

Because of Lowell's generosity countless students have been able to acheive their dreams of getting a college education. Help honor Lowell's legacy by donating in his memory to the Miles Family Manufacturing Endowment or the Military Families Endowment using the form below. You can also send a check to 19600 Molalla Ave, Oregon City OR 97045. Make checks payable to the CCC Foundation and write "in memory of Lowell" and the fund in the memo line. 

 

Obituary:
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 Sunday, March 12 at 2pm at Clackamas Community College in Gregory Forum.