Frederick B. Miles

Frederick “Fred” Byrdine Miles of Ivy, VA—a loving husband and father, and friend to many—passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, on Monday, January 10, 2022, at age 63. On his final day, he was surrounded by his family to celebrate a belated Christmas, his favorite holiday. Fred was born in Christiansburg, VA, to Raymond S. Miles and Madge E. Muncy Miles. A committed younger brother to Joseph “Morris” Muncy, the two teamed up to work any odd jobs they could find starting at an early age. From selling flowers on the streets in Georgetown, VA to laying bricks, Fred earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname of “Baby Huey,” a nod to his towering presence and brute strength. Fred spent his childhood and adolescence surrounded by the endearing and expansive Miles and Muncy families. He carried immense pride for his Southern heritage and spent his life close to the Blue Ridge Mountains he loved. Fred’s family relocated to Charlottesville, VA, in 1970. As fate would have it, he met the former Diane Madison, their Senior year at Albemarle High School (AHS) in 1976 in traffic court: she for a speeding ticket and he for rolling a stop sign. Fred took note of shy Diane and used the incident to poke fun at her when they returned to school, as their lockers, assigned by last name, were close to one another. Fred persistently pursued Diane’s attention thereafter, serenading her in the hallways, much to her embarrassment. The two began dating soon after. He lovingly teased and nicknamed her his “silly punk Pinocchio lip clam chowder sugar booger butch,” a designation he managed to transcribe in the tiniest of print to fit on a Christmas gift tag, to be read aloud every year. After college and nine years of courting, Fred and Diane finally wed in 1985. A skilled athlete, in high school, Fred played football and participated in track and field events where he set a record for shot put distance throw, a record he holds to this day. After working for the City of Charlottesville for three years, Fred received a scholarship to play football at Ferrum College, where he became a Jr. College All-American, before transferring to the University of Virginia to continue playing football on scholarship. Fred notably blocked against the infamous “Refrigerator” Perry, of whom he remarked, “he might have put me on my ass a few times, but I put him on his ass a few times too.” A testament to Fred’s imposing size and even greater sense of determination. Although talented, Fred maintained that football allowed him the opportunity to pursue a higher education, his true priority. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the McIntire School of Commerce in 1983. A “Wahoo for life” who bled orange and blue, Fred proudly donned “Duke blue” just once, and only once. Fred worked for many years as a salesman before specializing in telecommunications with the guidance of the late Rowena Morrel, whom he considered a mentor and dear friend. He founded and partnered Integrated Communications Incorporated (ICC) with another valued friend, Tony Turner in Annapolis, MD, spending years commuting before moving the company to Del Ray Beach, FL, to which he continued to commute. Of his professional accomplishments, Fred was most proud of creating Fair Call with ICC: a long-distance calling option featured on payphones nationwide. If watching closely, the Fair Call magnets can be spotted on payphones in movies and on shows such as The Departed and The Sopranos. Fred amusedly insisted on pointing them out to his wife and daughters if he spotted one. His lawn trailer remains covered in Fair Call magnets. In recent years, Fred partnered with friend Michael Dixon to obtain real estate for use as rental properties. He also partnered with dear friend Rob Beachy as a principal founder of Building Sense to evaluate properties for depreciation applicable for tax credit. Needless to say, Fred was a “Jack of all trades.” However, if asked, Fred’s greatest accomplishments weren’t his football legacy or career. It was building a family. Fred constructed both of the homes where his daughters were happily raised and jimmied a solution to every broken thing or misplaced part. Fred was an avid tinkerer, home chef, and grill master. His famous shank Virginia hams were used to barter handmade Christmas wreaths every year and were coveted each holiday. An amateur guitar player, he happily picked away to songs including “Interstate Love Song” by the Stone Temple Pilots, “Peaches” by The Presidents of the United States of America, “Layla” by Eric Clapton, and “Fire on the Mountain” by The Marshall Tucker Band among others. Fred enjoyed playing rec softball and was exceptionally creative in his younger years. He dabbled in leaded stained glass and doodled images of Snoopy. He loved to travel, happy to assist Diane in her dream to visit each of the fifty states. He insisted that each of his daughters experienced the “magic” of Disney World at age three and mandated annual vacations to Florida, Massanutten, and the Outer Banks. Fred was relentless in securing time together as a family: every birthday, every holiday, and every aforementioned annual family vacation. In Fred’s words, “standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, the birth of his three girls,” and the surprise party arranged by his daughters to celebrate he and Diane’s 60th birthdays, were his most cherished moments in life, “to name a few.” In Fred’s recent words, his greatest joys in life were “spending time with his family and friends, whether that be going to concerts, or hanging around the house for family meals, and watching sports.” He enjoyed live music and attending football games at Scott Stadium to support his alma mater. He enjoyed playing Rummikub, always managing to undercut Diane’s tactics to get a rise out of her, much to the amusement of Madge. Fred will be fondly remembered for his corny “Dad jokes” and colorful use of nicknames, his mischievous smile and sweet tooth, his unfailing work ethic, and fiercely loyal friendship. His family finds comfort in continuing his legacy grounded by the foundation he lovingly built. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring and eternal partner in life of 45 years, Diane; daughters Lauren Miles (“Peanut”) and fiancé Chris Byrne; Allison “Ali” Miles (“Bug”) and “son-in-law” Trey Palmer; and Hannah Miles (“Doodles”); his beloved and protective “fur baby” Layla, whom he insisted on sharing meals with despite repeated reprimands not to do so; his devoted mother Madge; his “big bro” Joe and wife Elaine; and an extensive roster of valued family members and friends. He is survived by special aunts Arba Jean Montgomery and Ellen Douglas, and cousins Lonnie Rhea Douglas and Louis “Little Louis” Miles, Jr. He was predeceased by his father Raymond; his grandmothers, Clementine Miles and Edith Muncy, with whom he spent much of his childhood and spoke of in fond remembrance; and Jonathan “Uncle Johnny” Miles after whom his middle name “Byrdine” honored. He will be deeply missed by his dearest friends, whom he fondly referred to as his “brothers”: Ron Booker, Paul Sierocinski, Larry Cyphers, and the late “J.T.” Taylor. He will be fondly remembered by many other long-time friends, including his “football buddies,” with whom he maintained daily contact within a group text thread. The family wishes to thank good friend Kevin Powell for all of his help in recent years. Per his wishes, Fred will be cremated with his ashes to be “spread over the mountains.” His immediate family plans to honor his wishes in a private ceremony. Extended family and friends are invited to join the Miles family on Saturday, May 14, 2022, to celebrate his life. A grill-out will be held as Fred felt no get-together was complete without food. The family requests that attendants dress casually and comfortably, armed with their best “Fred stories,” as they believe he would have preferred to be honored in celebration rather than in mourning. Further details to follow. Memorials may be made to the University of Virginia Athletics Foundation, University of Virginia Patients & Friends Research Fund, or the family welcomes trees to be planted in his memory for those so inclined. A memorial website will be available shortly for those who wish to share memories of Fred or send a condolence to his family and may do so at www.frederickbmiles.com.