Garrett F. "Bud" Miles died on March 2, 2022 in Houston, Texas where he was receiving treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.  He recently celebrated his 80th birthday with his family.

Bud was born on January 25, 1942 in El Reno, Oklahoma.  He grew up in El Reno where he excelled in academics and sports, graduating from El Reno High School in 1960.  Bud then attended the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.  In 1963, he moved to Washington D.C. where he became a member of the U.S. Capitol Police and later served as a congressional aide to Congressman John Jarman.  While in D.C., Bud continued his studies at The George Washington University. He later returned to Oklahoma where he worked in Rep. Jarman's district office.  On June 25, 1966, Bud married Julie Smith in El Reno, 8 years after their first date.

In 1967, Bud volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He completed basic training at Ft. Bliss, Texas, advanced infantry training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was then stationed in Germany.  Bud returned stateside and completed Officers Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia where he graduated at the top of his class and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Army Corps of Engineers.  He also became a TAC officer, training future officers. He then served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 and was awarded the bronze star for heroic and meritorious deeds.  Bud was honorably discharged from the Army in 1970 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Upon returning to Norman, he received his Masters's Degree in Architecture from OU.  After a few years as an associate in Dallas, he became the architect for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.  In 1980, he established Miles Associates and spent more than 40 years building a diverse team of design professionals to serve the unique needs of the science & technology, healthcare, academic, and corporate market sectors. His architectural legacy includes the design of many landmark buildings in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area such as the Oklahoma Children's Hospital Physicians Facility & Atrium, the Hamm Institute for American Energy (formerly known as the GE Global Research Oil & Gas Technology Center), and numerous science-related projects for one of his first clients, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. As a graduate of OU, he was also extremely proud of the many MILES-designed buildings dotting the Norman campus such as the Gallogly College of Engineering's Devon Energy Hall, ExxonMobil Rawl Engineering Practice Facility, and the highly specialized Lin Hall Physics and Astronomy Building. Over the years, Bud completed many projects for The Noble Foundation in Ardmore.  He also had a long history designing medical, veterinary, and nursing schools in the Caribbean islands of Dominica, St. Kitts, and Antigua.  Throughout his career, Bud was honored with many accolades, but he was most proud of his multiple appointments to National Institutes of Health Special Emphasis Panels and term as Grant Review Committee Chairman, acknowledging his broad expertise in the design of intricate research facilities.

Bud's professional success was born of his strong work ethic.  At 13, he began working in a grain elevator shoveling wheat and later spent summers plowing farmland outside El Reno.  Bud worked his way through college by taking jobs such as a custodian and working the overnight shift at an ice plant.

When his children were growing up, Bud was a constant presence at basketball games, horse shows, and other activities. But his involvement in activities was not limited to being a spectator, with Bud serving as President of the Norman Athletic Association and the Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Association.  He also leaves a legacy of generosity and service to others. As a long-time board member and former president of the Children's Hospital Foundation, a member of the CHF Board of Advocates, and as a member of the Oklahoma Children's Hospital Operations Council, Bud was passionate about improving healthcare for the children of Oklahoma. He was also a proud supporter of Oklahoma Cleats for Kids, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and many other local charitable organizations.

Bud will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a generous soul, with a boundless capacity for fun, a wonderful sense of humor, and a kindness rarely matched and never exceeded. He loved and cherished time with his family, and became known as the "Heisman" of dads. He will be missed by many, and remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.

Bud is survived by his wife Julie, his daughter Andrea, son Brandon and his fiance Lauren Chapman, as well as brothers-in-law Charlie Smith and his wife Shirley of Oklahoma City, Cliff Smith and his wife Kathy of Owasso, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his father Elijah Garrett Miles, mother Thelma (Laughlin) Miles, who died when Bud was a child, his stepmother Lois (Stone) Miles, his sister Betty and his infant brother John Robert.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity that is meaningful to you. Services are pending and will be announced at a later time.