Rudolph “Rudy” Miles April 29, 1920 - June 23, 2016
On June 23, 2016, El Paso lost a pioneer, mentor, stalwart in our community, an excellent role model, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Native El Pasoan, son to Martin and Raquel Miles, he is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elvia Mora Miles, and 9 of his 10 children: Martha Stumbo (Allen), Cecilia “Ceci” Mulvihill (Ron), Rudy Miles (Elsa), Daniel Miles (Irma), Michael Miles (Clara), Edgar Miles (Yvonne), Elvia Doyle (Tom), Alex Miles (Brian Pascarelli), Carol Baumgardt (Don), 24 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Raquel Miles, sister Minerva Gomez and daughter, Norma Miles.
He graduated from El Paso High School in 1938 and was named Outstanding Ex in 1993. After high school Rudy went to El Paso Technical Institute to study accounting. In 1941 he voluntarily entered the draft and was assigned to work in the Air Force finance office. After WWII he returned home to work in the Mora family customs brokerage business and in 1963 branched off to open Rudolph Miles Customhouse Brokers.
Rudy was a strong supporter of the El Paso/Ciudad Juárez region and worked hard to promote the economic development of this area attracting many of the Maquiladoras to the region. Rudy has held many leadership positions in the area, some of which include Advisory Council for the S.B.A., Chairman of the Selective Service Board, President and lifetime member of the Optimist Club, President Customs Brokers Assoc 1978-84, Awarded Transportation Man of the year by the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for the following organizations: First City National Bank, El Paso Downtown Rotary Club (President), Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, Regional Export Council, El Paso Cancer Treatment Center, El Paso Country Club, Father Yermo Schools, Stanton Medical Building and Hospice of El Paso.
Rudy also started or was involved in the start-up of over a dozen successful companies in the area, several of which have been recognized as top Hispanic companies in the country. He believed that through hard work, determination and a strong faith in God anyone could accomplish their desired goals in life.
His strong work ethic was deeply instilled in his children. He will always be remembered as a kind, generous man who was at his happiest surrounded by his family. Rudy was grateful to all of the people working with him throughout his career. Also a special thank you to his caregivers in his later years: Lili, Monica and his youngest son, Alex Miles.
Visitation available Monday June 27 from 5-9 p.m. with rosary services at 6:30 p.m. (Martin Funeral Homes West); funeral mass at St. Patrick Cathedral on Tuesday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name should be made to the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, P.O. Box 17993, El Paso, Texas 79917 for the benefit of the Retired Priest Appreciation Fund, the Seminarian Education Fund, or the St. Patrick Cathedral Historic Preservation Fund, or to Father Yermo Schools, 250 N. Washington, El Paso, Texas 79905.