Jack D. Miles
November 14, 1939 - January 8, 2018

"Lit a candle in memory of Jack D. Miles"

"Lit a candle in memory of Jack D. Miles"

"Mr Miles was a fun but strict teacher that always maintained a good sense of humor in class. He was setting me straight on day in class (probably for talking in class) and he got in my face a little out of frustration...Afterward, in front of everybody, he asked me if anything stood out while I was being yelled at and I said "Yes. Your breath." He cracked up laughing and revealed that he had been eating a handful of peanuts when he went on his rant!:joy::joy::joy: I'll never forget that! He was a very cool guy and will be missed! Rest in peach, Mr Miles and Thanks for the memories!"

"Mr Miles was a great Band Director and Musician.His love of Music was apparent in the way he conducted and talked about the music.. To be in his band was a goal of mine from back in Jr high. I'll never forget how he recommended that I switch to Bass Clarinet, because it would help me make the marching band, and they were going to the Macy's parade next year.Great mentor and human being.....We were all blessed to have Mr. Miles in our lives.....R.I.P."

"Mr. Miles was one of my favorite teachers at Spring Branch. He encouraged us to do out best- individually and as a group. He introduced many of us to transcriptions of great classics. I was in the band when we marched in the Rose Parade in 1972. What a great experience that was for so many of us. We worked hard, but we had a great time. He was a kind man and influenced many young people in a great way. I hope his family knows how much he was loved and respected by his students. Rest in peace, Mr. Miles and thanks for the memories."

"I remember getting in a bit of 'trouble' my sophomore year at the TMEA All State Band convention which was held at the Rice Hotel in Houston. Several students from Spring Branch and Spring Woods collected a lot of light bulbs from the stairwells and decided to toss them out of the hotel room window just to watch them explode on the roof below. A couple of days later my mom got a call from Mr. Jensen. Then, years later after HS graduation, Mr. Miles came to my house. Kind of surprised me, teachers just didn't come to a kid's house, right? He was sitting in the living room talking to my mom when I walked into the room. He handed me a graduation gift! Wow, teacher coming to the house AND a present! I opened it to find a package of light bulbs. What a guy he was!!! (Okay, he also gave me another box with a pen and pencil set in it.)"

"Mr. Miles, You taught me that playing music meant working at it and enjoying the work.Maybe that's why I still play to this day and made a living doing it for years with my wife. We wound up working in and owning a music store. I occasionally teach music recording to boys in a halfway house setting in the Oregon prison system.Through equipment donations to the prison system I was able to part of a movement to put music in the hands of the youth coming out of the system. Thank you for your encouragement! Roy Dale Jones"

"And he was so brave taking us to all of those events."

"I met Jack through UIL where he was an assistant to the UIL Journalism Director for many years. He was one of my favorite people who helped this journalism teacher out of more than one jam over the years. Even though I live 5 hours from Austin, we would always make a point to catch up with each other at convention each spring. What a wonderful, warm-spirited person with such a beautiful legacy. My condolences to the family."

"Welcome to 6th grade!!! My sister Karyn played the clarinet. Wood in my mouth is like the worst nightmare. I couldn't do it. I chose the flute. I wanted to be like by sister Dale. My 1st band director was Mr. Jensen. I'll sneak in some memories here. Good behavior was top of the list. Make sounds on your instrument when not commanded to??? EVERYBODY in the class put their instruments in the cases, went outside and had to run to the big tree & back. Dang..Good thing Landrum had a tree not toooo far away!!! Everybody had their eyeballs on the conductor after that!!! What a foundation. It was discipline. Love of music came later. Spring Branch High School was the best and grooming new musicians could hope for. Private lessons was number one. A professional instrument was number two. Or am I confused about that??? Thanks to choosing the flute, the system was in place. Our parents were encouraged to upgrade the flutes. It had to be done. The first flute was a nickle plated Artley. Wonderful flute! Dale got her closed hole Haynes when I started band. Soooo beautiful. I didn't realize it, but with the encouragement of band directors, Mom ordered an open hole Haynes. I had a normal give me down first flute. Something happened in 8th grade I was in tune with the tuner from hell! I had Dale's Haynes!!! Lessons are great, but so is a wonderful instrument! I was always wanting to please my band director, teacher and my parents. Good plan people. I had no time to get in trouble!!! Get it??? Practice & no time for trouble??? I hit high school and Mr. Jensen was not in charge. It was Mr. Miles! No time to relax. I get to try to please someone else. Six Flags over Texas!!! Carmina Burana!!! 1969 Music education was fast forward!!! My love of music probably started here. I actually found a love for classical music. How did it happen that these two young music educators influenced me so much??? It's the love of music. I see me Jensen at the grocery store from time to time. We share so many memories. I wish Mr. Miles had stayed in Spring Branch. I still can see those cute eyes & demanding eyes. What a guy!!! He'll always be 28 in my mind. Love of music starts at an early age and continues for a lifetime. I still play my flute, but enjoy being in the audience too. God bless you Jack Miles!!! -Laurie Lumpkin Sites"

"So sad to hear this! He was my very favorite teacher. I loved his sense of humor and his corny jokes. He wouldn't put up with any guff, but he maintained a sense of adventure. He will be missed! Prayers for his loved ones!!"

"Mr. Miles was that special, one of a kind person who was my all time favorite teacher. I dont think he ever knew how much he contributed to my love of music or to the person I am today. He was my band director at Landrum Jr. High to Spring Branch HS in the early 70s. My band memories are some of my best and will always be cherished. I know the music is sweeter in Heaven because of him. So long Mr. Miles, for now. God Bless. Sincerest condolences to his family."

"Jack was a passionate believer in the music we played. I will never forget his determination to make our concert sound like the New York Philharmonic was playing at Carnegie Hall! The song he picked was labeled Casa Grande. We practiced and practiced that song until it was perfect. To show you the confidence he had in us, we thought we were adults and played like professionals and to think we were only 7th and 8th graders at Landrum Jr. High. Jack, you were a consummate professional and the first real celebrity in my life and I hope your enjoying that Casa Grande in Heaven! Your former band member and friend, Darwin Trevena 1967-68.:sunglasses:"

"I was only in the MB my freshman year... really enjoyed it...quit to play football... Mr. Miles was one of my great music mentors..he had one of the most amazing senses of humor Ive ever encountered.. I only played in the SBHS Maching Band my freshman year...(tuba) 1965... I switched to football.... dumbest stunt I ever pulled. When I made the decision to quit, I was in the band office (that corner room)....and told Mr. Miles and Mr. Jensen my decision... I stepped over to the side to let someone by and tripped over the top of a sousaphone case...fell flat on my but.... both bandmasters (and yours truly) busted out laughing.... Mr. Miles, at his his witty best asked...John, are you SURE you want to switch? RIP, Jack."

"Mr Miles was my first band director and my director at Spring Branch High School. He was just an amazing director and teacher. He always made the band hall more of a home than a classroom where students were always welcome. He always had something we could do to help out. Every year I sit in front of the TV watching the Macy's parade and thinking, how many years has it been since I was there with the Spring Branch Band. He is loved by his students even to this day. Chris Mims Spring Branch Class of 1978"

"I had this tribute for Jack placed when Spring Branch HS was remodeled last year. He spent many hours at our kitchen table working on the Rose Parade and Macy's Parade fundraisers with my folks. Jack was one of a kind, and loved his jokes and stories. Rest well, Jack. Say hi to mom and dad for me."

"Mr.Miles was my band director at Landrum Junior High from 1965 through graduation from Spring Branch High School in 1971. He also was band director for my brother Bruce Miller and sisters Patti Miller and Beth Miller. My condolences to his family and friends for the loss of this wonderful teacher. I have so many memories of him and over the years his name is consistently brought up in conversations with classmates. He tolerated his devious and mischievous band students who decorated his apartment patio with various posters and the occasional blinking street hazard signs. He was innovative whether creating half-time shows (Zarathustra) or conducting concerts (Carmina Burana). Prayers of comfort and peace to his family."

"Mr. Miles was one of a kind. He was not only my band director, he was my friend. He pushed his students to be the best that they could be and he truly loved them...and we truly loved him. The whole band experience that he allowed us to have was incredible. He actually became a good friend of my family and would frequently pop over for dinner or a strawberry margarita!! He was even an usher in my wedding in 1975! We continued to keep in touch while my children were growing up and even after my dad passed away in 1995, he never failed to send my mom a note or a Christmas card (with a picture of his pug, of course) to her until she passed away in 2004. He was always such a gentleman, and he will be greatly missed. RIP Mr. Miles...thanks for the great memories."

"Jack Miles was my band director. He was the first band director that I had in:/ 6th grade in 1963 at Landrum Junior High School and except for my 7th grade year was my band director throughout my public school education. In 1968 he became head band director at Spring Branch High School and that spring the symphonic band was selected as for 4A honor band at the Six Flags Festival. After graduating in 1970 he helped me with several assignments that I had at the college level providing valuable information and insight into music education. He definitely is one of the reasons I chose to become a band director. We will all miss you Jack."

"I remember Mr Miles he was my band teacher at Spring Branch Jr High and Spring Branch High School. He was my best teacher that I had he was very good to everyone. He loved music like everyone else. He will be missed Rest In Peace Jack Miles."

"I was devastated to hear the news of Jacks passing. I had the privilege of introducing Jack to the UIL family and from that time on Jack caught on quickly and almost took over the office. He only had to be shown or told once to pick up his various responsibilities. There are stories galore we could share of the man and with him. He was there when we needed a shoulder to cry or lean on and at times one to provide for him. JEANE referred to him as Jack-O-Matic but I just called him Radar because he was getting things done before even being asked. Sometimes trying to watch two old bachelors try to run UIL journalism and ILPC was a bit funny for those on the outside but because of Jack UIL maintained its credibility that Bobby had created."

"I was blessed to work with Jack while he was at UIL. He was a gentle and kind soul who brightened our days. I missed you when you retired and miss you now. Rest in Peace."

"Jack visited Westlake Animal Hospital often for nail trims on his pug children. I believe he used nail trims as a good reason to visit us as his visits included entertaining staff and clients. He was an amazing pet guardian, and person in general. We will miss him and his giggles dearly. His pug Mikki is in very good care in a Pug Rescue Austin foster home."

"I nicknamed Jack - Jack-O-Matic because he was the most efficient, dedicated person I had ever worked with. He could anticipate my questions and issues well before I even thought about the question. He was a wizard with organization, and kept me - a creative wild child - always going in the right direction. He saved my butt more than once when I first started at UIL. Jack was extremely loyal and loving especially with his pugs. During the time Jack and I worked together, I had two boys and he had three dogs (all of whom he loved fiercely). As my children hit their milestones I would share stories with Jack, and he did the same with me about his adorable pugs. Those were the most well-cared for dogs that ever were. He used to tell me they were spoiled rotten, and I would correct him spoiled but definitely not rotten. I remember when Sophie was diagnosed with cancer - it crushed Jack. We cried together in my office as he decided the course of action for her. He found her the best treatment - no matter the cost - and Sophie thrived under his loving care. Those pugs were the center of his life and it was the sweetest thing to see. I will miss Jack. I already do. I will miss getting his Christmas cards and his silly emails. I will miss talking about all the things wrong with politics today. And I will miss sharing our life stories. Jack was a light in this world. He gave love and asked for little in return. I know he's smiling again and I hope he smiles over me and my boys for the rest of our lives."

"I love the years that Jack and I were classmates at Lamar. We enjoyed the reunion for Rich (Richard Burkhart - brass prof ) and all the tricks we used to play. Most of the silliness was Jack and all us music majors ideas. Mostly very silly and we had fun pulling them out - (hiding from our music theory prof., using the theatre wigs for under-arm hair, putting a plastic vomit gadget on Dr. Wiley's podium,) we were a close group of crazy people. Jack was a true friend - so sorry his life was cut short. Hopefully Jack's playing French horn with God's band/orchestra or brass quintet."

"I was just thinking of Jack this year as I have continued to send him a Christmas card and I was wondering about him and his adorable pugs. He also gave me several Jim Shore Christmas ornaments which made me also think of him as I put out decorations and put away decorations this year. We also always would joke about him doing all his Christmas shopping early and have all his gifts already impeccably wrapped WELL before the holidays even began. I know UIL, TEA and The Container Store were better for his service to their organizations. And of course all the many band students he helped throughout his career. I will remember our talks at UIL fondly. Rest in Peace Friend! - Phyllis Broz"