Mr. Ivan Ernest Miles, Jr., aged 74, of Gulfport, died at home on Friday, February 8th, 2019. He was born February 11, 1944 in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Ernest Miles, Sr. He graduated from Starkville High School and then the University of Mississippi in 1966. After a distinguished career as a pharmaceutical sales representative/manager, working for Eaton Laboratories and Mead Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Miles then attended pharmacy school at Samford University in Birmingham to pursue his advanced degree in clinical pharmacology.
Mr. Miles moved to Gulfport, Mississippi in 1968. Ivan was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Mississippi. He was a member of The National Rifle Association, Civitans, Gulfport Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, and a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport.
Ivan enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating, scuba diving, cars, motorcycles, firearms/competitive shooting, and dogs, especially Boxers.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Ernest Miles, Sr., of Starkville, Mississippi.
Ivan is survived by his sister, Nancy Egolf and her husband, Colonel Al Egolf; his son, Gregory G. Miles (Kelly), Montgomery, Alabama; his daughter, Teri L. Miles, Gulfport, Mississippi; four grandchildren, Sierra, Sailor, Presley, and Landry; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his niece, Pamela Cockley (Kurtz); his nephew, Mark Egolf (Carmen); his longtime companion/service dog, Scooter; and his best friend, Lucita “Nina” Pritchard.
Family, friends and colleagues mourn the loss of Ivan, who leaves behind a legacy of professional excellence, compassion, and his trademark wit and sense of humor.
Visitation will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport on Saturday, February 16th, 2019 at 2:00 pm with service to follow at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois, 60601.