Photo from Girdner Funeral Chapel
After a two year battle with brain cancer, Miles John Isbell passed away at home on October 21, 2022 surrounded by family and friends. Throughout his battle “Miles The Brave'' inspired people around the world with his perseverance and strength to live each day to the fullest, give back to their community, always look for the good even in the darkest of times and “Don’t Stop Believin.”
Miles was born on April 18, 2011 in Yreka, California, and he entered the world with a smile that never faded. He grew up in Scott Valley – where he truly learned what it means to be #scottvalleystrong.
Miles’s early school years were spent at Eileeny’s daycare where he met many of his first true lifelong friends. He then attended Fort Jones Elementary School from kindergarten through 5th grade and began his first year of middle school at Scott Valley Junior High this past fall. There wasn’t a child or educator who knew Miles who didn’t feel loved by him. He truly was a friend to all, and to know him was to know friendship. Miles worked hard at school and became an avid reader.
Miles always had a creative side which was showcased in his artwork and hundreds of Lego creations. One of his photographs was featured in a gallery in San Francisco and purchased to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. From an early age, he loved listening to and creating music. Miles learned how to play the guitar and took to the stage many times to sing his favorite 80’s songs with friends, solo, or even with a band.
Miles loved a good joke and making people laugh. He was fearless in his pursuits and his expression of who he was. He committed to growing a mullet for over a year in order to be the authentically perfect MacGyver for Halloween. The mullet stayed with him for another Halloween, and he even had it permed before the first day of school.
Although Miles truly loved his friends, he shared an even deeper love for his family. His brother, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins meant the world to him, and no one enjoyed a family gathering like Miles.
Miles took to running at an early age and earned a spot in the 100 mile club in the first grade with Mrs. Dean. He raced in many events in Siskiyou County with his friend Peter, some even as long as six miles. Miles earned a spot on the Scott Valley Dirt Dogs travel baseball team, and if enthusiasm could win any game, they would have had a solid record thanks to Miles alone. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Many a good hunting or fishing tale was shared with his brother and buddies Wyatt and Finn. Miles loved to snowboard. He also swam for the Scott Valley Sharks swim team. Miles enjoyed board games, was quite the pool shark, and became pretty good at poker.
Miles was a natural leader. He was a student senator at school and President of his Fort Jones 4H Club. During his membership in 4H, he raised hogs for the county fair, participated in marksmanship, and enjoyed the cooking class.
The last two years provided Miles with many opportunities due to the graciousness of others; in return, he showed the world how to live life and love your community. Miles helped raise funds for Angel Flight West and was honored at the Endeavor Awards for his heroism and bravery. He was also committed to supporting the construction of the new Olsrud Family Women's and Children's Hospital in Medford, Oregon. Asante was his second home for two years and not only helped try to save his life but also his spirit. He was excited for the new facility because of the improvements it will bring in the future for kids like him. He and his brother donated thousands of dollars of their own money from profits from their 4H animals and inspired thousands of others, including their friends, to do the same. As the Miracle Kid, he helped raise over 3 million dollars in one night for this cause.
In the last month of his life, Miles earned two additional titles. Etna High School students crowned him honorary football Homecoming King, and he was officially given the title of Lord Miles John Isbell after generous friends bought him and his brother some land on a Scottish estate.
Miles was welcomed into heaven by his older brother Paul Isbell, grandfather Terry Weekley, and great-grandparents Cora Madole, Orin “Doc” Madole, and Anna Andrews. He is survived by his immediate family Bradley, Joy, and Carter; his grandparents John and Marcia Isbell and Carol Weekley; and his aunts, uncle and cousins, including Raylene, Jess, Mason and Shelby Lang and Vanessa Weekley. He will also be missed by numerous other family members and his precious dog and loyal companion Charlee.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 5th 2022 at 12pm at the Sweezey Ranch which is located at 2914 Island Road in Etna, CA. A graveside burial will follow at the Fort Jones Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his great-grandparents and older brother Paul.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Miles’s name are welcomed to the Asante Foundation www.asantefoundation.org/Miles or Scott Valley Scholarships www.scottvalleyscholarships.org
