CTR ring designer Douglas Miles dies

You probably don't know the man, the late Douglas Coy Miles, but you likely know his famous designs of the CTR ring, the Duty to God award, Relief Society pendant, all-church athletic trophies and Articles of Faith wall hangings — commemorative fixtures in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mr. Miles, 91, died July 4, 2008, of congestive heart failure.

He was the principal originator and supplier of the CTR ring, starting in 1970.

His other church service included serving an East Central States LDS mission, 1936-38; teaching seminary at Salt Lake's West High School in the 1940s and 1950s; and later as a guide on Temple Square for several decades.

He was born on Aug. 15, 1916, in Baker City, Ore., to Earl and Verdie Miles, third of four children. He attended Brigham Young University, where he was active in student affairs.

The day after Pearl Harbor he joined the U.S. Navy and commanded a Martin PBM Mariner flying boat in the Pacific.

He married Blanche Bowen on Jan. 26, 1943, in Corpus Christi, Texas, a marriage later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Mr. Miles earned a law degree from the Utah School of Law and was an active member of the Utah bar throughout his life.

He was a gifted salesman and established O.C. Tanner's first national sales force.

In 1955 he joined the L.G. Balfour Co. as national sales manager and worked with Chevrolet and GM, creating original incentive programs.

A celebration of Mr. Miles' life will be held today, 6-8 p.m., with a memorial service on Saturday, July 12, noon, both at Federal Heights Ward, 1300 Fairfax Road in Salt Lake City. Friends may visit family one hour prior to the Saturday service.

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