BIVINS, TEXAS — Jerry A. Miles Sr., who lived in Clarksville and East Berne for over half of a century, died on Sunday, March 12, 2017, after a long, two-year battle with Mesothelioma. He was 74.

Mr. Miles was born on Jan. 26, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas, to the late Milton Cullen and Maxine Eloise (née Cudd) Miles. He grew up in Texas and Louisiana. In 1961, he joined the United States Army and served as a mechanic in Hanau, West Germany.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he came to upstate New York with a good friend with whom he had served.

Mr. Miles initially worked at a body repair shop in the area, and then went on to work for the Otis Elevator Company in Albany for more than 20 years until his retirement. While working for Otis Elevator, he was able to travel to Saudi Arabia to work on a six-month project installing elevators and escalators in a new hotel.

“His passion was cars, especially building and restoring them,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He built or restored, from the ground up, a 1955 Bel Air Hot Rod. This car was his pride and joy and he spent many hours in his shop at home working on it.  He had a wealth of knowledge when it came to anything mechanical, electrical, or automotive.  He also spent many hours helping his friends work on their cars, new or vintage.

“Besides working in his shop, Mr. Miles also looked forward to the annual fishing trip on the Ausable River with his son, son-in-law, and several good friends. Even driving up from Texas, where he and his wife recently relocated, so as not to miss the June trek with the guys.

“He will be greatly missed by all who knew, and loved, him.”

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Jerry A. Miles Sr., is survived by his wife of 25 years, Martha Macdonald; his sister, Linda Juneau and her husband, Michael, of Port Arthur, Texas; his daughter, Brenda Dwyer and her husband, Sean, of Clarksville; and his son, Jerry A. Miles Jr. and his wife, LoriAnn, of Clarksville.