Milas Kendrick Sheckels of Richlands, NC, our “old man of the mountain”, Peacefully went home on Sunday May 17, 2020. He was 92 years old. He is reunited with his wife Catherine, granddaughter Jessica, and daughter Pam.
Milas, also known as Miles, was born on April 26, 1928 to Milas Kendrick Sheckels and Hester Minton Sheckels in Sterling, Tennessee. There in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee he started his love affair with bluegrass music, fishing, and gardening. He loved planting his vegetable garden, especially his tomatoes each spring. He spent many warm, summer days swinging in his swing in his yard. This was time well spent for him and you wanted to be on that swing with him. He loved telling stories of the good old days..and we loved to listen. He was a storyteller for sure and a good one at that.
In 1947 Milas joined the United States Military and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his time in the military he met and married the love of his life, Catherine Irene Burch. They were married for 51 years. After leaving the military he worked as a roofer for Farran Brothers and eventually started his own roofing business, Miles Roofing in 1972. He primarily worked in the Washington DC Metro area for real estate companies. He worked hard and grew a successful business, eventually retiring in 1988.
Milas was preceded in death by his wife Catherine, his precious granddaughter Jessica, and his daughter Pamela Saco.
Milas is survived by his brother Bobby Sheckels and wife Eva, and his sister Patsy Laws, and sister-in-law Zella Sheckels of Middlesboro KY.
Also surviving Milas are his children – daughter Trina Sheckels-McFarland, son Michael Kenneth Sheckels, daughter Jeannie Fahey and husband Lt. Col John J. Fahey, son Jeffrey Alan Sheckels and wife Gloria, Catherine Teresa Sheckels and husband Thomas W. Ridgely, Jr.
Milas is also survived by his grandchildren - Taylor Carson Mcfarland and wife Kendall, Mary Elizabeth Sheckels, Michael K. Sheckels and wife Claudia, James M. Sheckels and wife Jackie, Korbin Kollar, Matthew K. Fahey and wife Kristi, Jennifer L. Thorne and husband Stevie, Jillian Dempsey and husband Charlie, Meredith K. Downs and husband Nate, Melanie Sheckels, Jason and wife Nicole, Nicole Sheckels, Casey Sheckels and wife Andrea, Jeremy Sheckels and Natalie , Ashly K. Ridgely, Kindall D. Ridgely, Zachary H. Ridgely, Alison J. Ridgely, and Alin J. Ridgely.
He is survived by his great grandchildren – Maren Rose McFarland, Matthew K. Fahey, Emma Thorne, Aidan Dempsey, Charlie Dempsey III, Morgan Allison, Marcus Matthews II, Wyatt Downs, Josslyn Downs, Tucker Downs, Sean K. Sheckels and wife Miranda, Kristopher J. Sheckels, Kasey L. Sheckels, Aaron M. Sheckels, Haley Sheckels, Sophia Sheckels, and Colin Sheckels ; Cody, Cameron, Bryce, Elijah, Joseph, Maria, Henry, Raelynn, Clay, Pam, Leah, Chase, Avery, and Colton.
He is also survived by his great great grandchildren - Zayne K. Sheckels, Avery E. Sheckels, and Everleigh L. Sheckels.
A life well lived. He would often say he lived a good life and a long life. He loved his family, all of his family near and far. He believed in God and country. He was a strong man, a gentle man, and a kind man. Once he considered you his friend, you were a friend for life. He was known and loved by many people. He made the world a better place and we were blessed to be in his. He will live forever in our hearts and memories and he is loved and missed by us all.
Funeral Services will be private.
Online condolences may be made to the family at arehartechols.com
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