Duane "50" Miles died in Greeley on Monday, October 23, 2017 at the age of 82. Closed casket services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 27, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with Pastor David L. Baines officiating. Private family graveside services will follow the funeral at Riverside Cemetery.

Duane was born in Fleming on June 24, 1935, to Edward Miles and Ruby (Davis) Miles. He attended Blackhawk Elementary School (a one-room school house) through eighth grade and then attended Fleming High School. He lived on a grain farm west of Fleming until he graduated. Duane played basketball in high school and was also involved in league sports and was an accomplished bowler.

Duane met his wife Ferol Louise Reynolds at a Presbyterian function, though they knew each other prior to that from a bowling league. They married on June 2, 1963, and started life in a little house on Valley Drive.  At that time he was working for the Journal-Advocate, but had previously worked for the newspaper in Ogallala, Neb. Duane started in the newspaper business straight out of high school, joining the staff of the High Plains Journal in 1953. He began in the production department, the paper was produced using Linotype machines to set the type; he learned "flat casting" and "pig pouring" on the job. He had an amazing work ethic and worked in a variety of positions at the paper, including printing press, pre-press production, building maintenance and systems operations.

Over the years Duane learned new technology as it advanced in the newspaper business and mentored others in the industry. He is remembered as a great friend to everyone who met him. He loved his work and was still working until April of this year. Duane took great pride in learning new things – he was self taught on the computer, becoming the "computer guru" at the J-A. It didn't matter whether it was the printing press, the page layouts, the dark room or the production process – he put his heart and soul into his work.  In 2004, Miles was awarded the Golden Makeup Rule by the Colorado Press Association, an award that honors those who have worked 50 years or more in the industry.

He loved his family and everyone he met, treating everyone the same, no matter who they were. He loved being known by his nickname "50" and made sure everyone could count on him for anything. Duane was the most unselfish person, always taking time to make someone's day brighter. He loved to make people smile and his personality could light up a room.

Duane's love of family and his huge heart contributed to the fact that he and his wife adopted two infant children in 1968 and 1969. He is remembered as an amazing and proud husband, father and grandfather. He was active in his children's activities when they were growing up, taking endless pictures that ended up in the newspaper. He was the first soccer referee in Sterling and spent numerous weekends at the soccer fields, even long after his kids no longer participated in the sports. He also loved working with high school students at the J-A on the Bengal Cry. When he welcomed grandchildren, he could always be counted on to make them laugh; they loved grandpa's jokes and silly stories.

Duane's hobbies included spending time with his dog, Benji, gardening, summer time barbecues, fishing, watching sports of all kinds especially the Broncos, Nuggets and Rockies, building model airplanes with Cox engines, and listening to the police scanner (not just work related) and memorizing all the police 10-codes. He also loved photography, taking many photos for the newspaper over the years. His passion for it really took off after he traveled to New York City for a course in photography. After that, he could be found photographing sporting events all over Eastern Colorado, parades, albino deer, just about everything. Duane even earned CPA honors for photos of lightning.

Duane also loved to socialize, spending time at the Elk's Lodge several times a week. He also created the Elk's Bugle for many years. When it became more difficult to socialize due to health issues, he made sure to stay connected through his laptop and cell phone.

Duane is survived by his wife, Ferol of Sterling; children Scott Miles of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and Misti Pierce (Randy) of Sterling; grandchildren Sky, Wynn and Kellyn Miles of Frisco, Colo., Shawn Lauer of Melbourne, Fla., and Morgan Lauer of Fort Collins; and sister Vada (Herb) Bracht of Johnstown, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Ruby Miles; sister, Maxine Miles; and brothers, Lowell and Dean Miles.

Contributions may be made in Duane's memory to the Sterling Elk's Lodge Scholarship Fund in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, Colorado 80751.