GARRETT F. "BUD" MILES, AIA, NCARB
Founder, President, & CEO, Miles Associates
January 25, 1942 - March 2, 2022
MARCH 3, 2022
It is with great sadness we share the passing of our mentor, colleague, friend, and the founder of Miles Associates, Garrett F. “Bud” Miles. After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Bud passed away on Wednesday, March 2nd surrounded by the people he held most dear, his family. A devoted family man, Bud’s great love for his high-school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Julie Miles, was apparent to all who knew him. His infinite love for children Andrea and Brandon Miles was also very evident as he beamed with pride while discussing their latest accomplishments. Bud was also very proud of his MILES family, and we will forever be grateful for the many years of leadership, expertise, and friendship that he so graciously shared with us.
After establishing Miles Associates in 1980, Bud spent the next 40+ years building a diverse team of design professionals to serve the science & technology sectors. With a specific emphasis on providing innovative designs for complex science-based projects, he had a strong desire to make a difference in the communities in which we lived and worked. His influence can be seen on many buildings throughout the region, such as the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Physicians Facility & Atrium and the Hamm Institute for American Energy (formerly known as the GE Global Research Oil & Gas Technology Center); inclusive of over $1 billion of completed projects within the Oklahoma City Innovation District. As a graduate of The University of Oklahoma, he was also extremely proud of the many MILES-designed buildings that dot the Norman campus such as the Gallogly College of Engineering’s Devon Energy Hall and ExxonMobil Rawl Engineering Practice Facility, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity House, and the recently completed NIST-A certified Lin Hall Physics and Astronomy Building; touted as one of the best environmentally-controlled buildings in the nation. Bud also completed numerous international projects in Asia and the Caribbean where he was instrumental in the development of academic campuses in Antigua, Dominica, and St. Kitts. His broad design expertise was acknowledged by the National Institutes of Health through multiple peer review appointments to Special Emphasis Panels and as a former Grant Review Committee Chairman. His passion for his work was obvious to all, and he greatly valued his clients and the trust placed in the MILES TEAM to make their dreams a reality.
While the list of Bud’s architectural accomplishments was long, we must also remember his long-standing dedication to many local charitable organizations. As a long-time board member and former president of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and the CHF Board of Advocates, Bud was passionate about improving healthcare for the children of Oklahoma. He also served on the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Operations Council. He was also a proud supporter of Cleats for Kids, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and many other charitable organizations that impact the community.
This is a tough loss for the MILES TEAM, but we have a fervent desire to continue Bud’s legacy and make him proud. As MILES ARCHITECTURE, we will continue to foster our passion for our work and community as we look to capitalize on the legacy he built for the firm.