Keith Miles

Keith Wayne Miles was born on May 11, 1939, in Baker, Oregon to Kenneth and Delma Miles. He passed away on November 18, 2024, in Baker, Oregon. Keith, the eldest of four siblings (Myron, Karen, and Myrna), grew up on the family ranch between Baker and Sumpter. He attended the one-room Lockhart School through 8th grade and graduated from Baker High School in 1957. Active in Band and FFA, he served as FFA chapter president. Encouraged by teachers, Keith received several scholarships and graduated from Oregon State College (now OSU) in 1961 with a degree in Poultry Science and a minor in Horticulture.

Keith married his high school sweetheart, Anita Taylor in August 1958 and had 66 amazing years together. They both worked multiple jobs through the college years and began their family with three children; Mathew, Melina and Andrew and later added two more children, Eric and Kevin.

Keith started his career as a genetic scientist working with turkeys in Oregon and Seattle, then transferred to California to manage turkey ranches and a hatchery for a genetics program to produce a “super turkey.” While in California, Keith met a pastor who introduced him to the Bible, leading to him becoming a Christian. In 1969, he and Anita returned to Oregon to join his parents in a new ranching venture in Baker Valley. His passion for his new faith brought the family to attend Haines Baptist Church. In early 1974, after being inspired by visiting missionaries, Keith and Anita embraced the call of Jesus' "Great Commission" to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." They liquidated their assets and began missionary training in Wisconsin in the fall of 1974. After a year and a half of language training in Missouri, they moved to Indonesia in November 1978.

Keith and Anita spent 37 years with New Tribes Mission in Indonesia, working mainly among the primitive Tugutil tribe in the jungles on a small island. Keith, who had trained as a linguist, worked hard to understand the Tugutil language, and together with Anita and the team, developed a written form of it. Anita taught literacy while Keith translated the Bible. In 2021, Keith and Anita had the joy of seeing decades of their work on the Tugutil Bible completed when it was printed, and delivered to hundreds of believers. This undertaking was the primary focus of Keith’s daily life for 29 years.

Keith's life was a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of exuberance and passion. With an infectious zest for living, he celebrated his family, music, animals, and flowers. To Keith, every blossom, from the modest dandelion to the splendid orchid, was a marvel of God's Creation. Keith saw the same in all the people he met. His cheerful demeanor and outgoing nature made him an instant friend to all he encountered. Keith invested willingly in everyone he met, with a heart to show them their Creator's love. He reached out to many overlooked by others, who then impacted others in turn. Thousands worldwide will one day testify to this. Keith also intentionally invested in his family, ensuring each family member felt loved and valued, and desired they experience a relationship with Jesus like he did.

Keith is survived by his wife of 66 years Anita, children Mathew (Toni) of La Grande, Melina (Tim) Morrison of Denton, TX, Andrew of Rowena, OR, Eric (Becky) of Euless, TX and Kevin (Sherry) of Baker City. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, brother Myron (Dotty) of North Powder and sister Myrna (Ralph) Morgan of Baker City. Keith was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Delma, sister Karen Sipp and great grandson Isaac Rogers.

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Keith will be at Haines Baptist Church Friday December 6 at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Keith Miles Memorial Missionary Fund through Coles Tribute Center at 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.