James Elwood Miles, 74, a resident of Columbia, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023, at Macon Healthcare Center. 

James was born on May 3, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of James Wilson Miles and Esther Lois Workman Miles. 

James served his country proudly in the United States Air Force, retiring after 23 years of service to our country. James was the definition of true military. After his retirement he began a career in corrections and retired from the Missouri Department of Corrections as a corrections officer after many years of service. He loved his Harley and enjoyed all the trips he took with his wife, Marva, compiling over 200,000 miles together, enjoying each experience along the way. He loved his family and cherished the times he was able to spend with them. He had a love for animals and loved his cats and dogs. He was a gun enthusiast and loved collecting guns, knives, and Leatherman tools. 

He will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his wife of over 21 years, Marva Schaffer Miles of Columbia; two stepsons, Myles Strid and wife Leah of Calwood, Mo., and Mytchel Strid and wife Emilee of Columbia; four grandchildren, Kaisyn Haynie, Lena Casey, Chloe Strid, and Chase Strid, all of Columbia; father and mother-law, Bill and Carol Schaffer of Moberly; one brother-in-law, Tony Schaffer and spouse David Greer of Kansas City; numerous cousins. 

James was preceded in death by his parents. 

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery in Jacksonville. Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Air Force and Missouri Military Funeral Honors. 

Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Miles Family.