Paul Miles

Paul C. Miles, 92, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2005, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born June 20, 1912, the only child of A.E. and Odille Borey Miles, having lived in Cape Girardeau his entire life. He and Dorothy Laws were married Aug. 29, 1943, at Farmington, Mo., and she survives.

Several cousins also survive.

After high school, he became associated with his father in Miles Packing Co. and subsequently became one of the founders of Moon Distributing Co., working there for 55 years before selling out in 1988 and retiring.

During World War II, he acquired a commercial pilot's license and an instructor's rating. In Cape Girardeau, he instructed pilots and gave licensing checks at the local airport until the end of the war. He was in the enlisted reserve of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

He was president of Missouri State Wholesalers, and in 1986 he received the Time Magazine award in New Orleans as an outstanding national wholesaler. He was president and general manager of Moon Distributing in Cape Girardeau, secretary of Mid-State Distributing Co. in Columbia, Mo., and a board member of Old St. Vincent's Church. He was a member of the airport board for many years, serving as president for 25 years. He was also a member of the Cape Girardeau Country Club, a lifetime member of the Friends of Saint Francis, a member of the historical association, the Tower Club and the Elks.

Mr. Miles, with his wife, Dorothy, were avid travelers and members of the Travelers' Century Club, having traveled all 50 states, all seven continents and more than 180 countries and island groups.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Monsignor Richard Rolwing and Dr. Clayton Smith officiating. Burial will be St. Mary Cemetery at Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may be made to Old St. Vincent's Church or Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.