by
Frank Miles Jr.
Frank Miles Jr., a father of five who turned his teenage son’s fatal shooting in 1993 into a crusade against youth gun violence, died unexpectedly on June 5 at his home in Detroit. He had just turned 69 the day before.
One of his daughters said the cause of death was unclear.
Miles worked with the anti-violence group Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD), and later with other programs that helped people deal with life’s challenges.
“He went out and spoke whenever there was gun violence. He did mentoring, he talked to kids in schools to help them understand why things happen sometimes,” said his oldest daughter, Charmaine Miles-Walls, a mother of four.
“He would talk to parents about how to talk to their children — to be kind to them. He was a very kind, gentle-hearted person.”
Miles grew up in Royal Oak Township and graduated from Oak Park High School in 1974, where he played on the basketball and football teams and ran track. He kept in touch with classmates and died just days before he was scheduled to travel with some of them to Seattle. They ended up dedicating the trip to Miles.
After high school, he attended Portland Community College in Oregon and Ferris State University, where he played basketball. Afterward, he married Vanessa Brown. They had three children together, and he had two more from other relationships.
After college, he went to work at the General Motors Fisher Body plant in Livonia, which has since closed.
Detroit Free Press article in October 1993.
On Oct. 14, 1993, his son, Frank Miles III, was walking to football practice at Redford High School in Detroit when gang members fired shots. His son was hit by a stray bullet and died.
“The worst day of my life, ever,” Miles said in a May 2023 interview on the podcast Detroit in Black and White. “There hasn’t been one day that I haven't thought about it and my son.”
His older brother, Greg Miles, recalled his brother Frank attending the Redford High School football game a day after his son's death to support the team. His son's number 23 was displayed on the feet and hands of the teammates and drawn on the faces of the cheerleaders, the Detroit Free Press reported.
“With tears in his eyes,” Greg said, “he cheered and let the team know he was there. They won the game for little Frank.”
After that, Miles began working with SOSAD and devoted himself to fighting gun violence.
With granddaughter Denver at her dance recital in 2024.
“We were doing peace rallies all over the place — walking the streets, marching, doing whatever it took; going to different gangs and talking to them, having meetings,” he said during the podcast.
He later worked with victim assistance programs that took a lower-key approach to supporting victims of violence.
“He said he liked helping people get through things — something he had to learn to do himself,” said his daughter, Charmaine. “He was able to go out and teach children and parents how to cope with gun violence and how to learn to love each other.”
Political commentator Adolph Mongo, who grew up with Miles in Royal Oak Township, said he was devastated by Miles’ passing, describing him as “a tireless activist against youth violence. He made a difference in Southeastern Michigan. He will be missed.”
Jay Levine, who was scheduled to travel with Miles and other Oak Park High graduates to Seattle, said:
“Frank was my friend for over 50 years, and what impressed me most was his commitment and love for his large number of family members and friends.”
His daughter Charmaine said he deeply loved his family, which included 20 grandchildren.
“He was always an advocate for his family,” she said. “He just loved people. He loved going to family reunions.”
She added that her father was a big Detroit Lions and Pistons fan. “His Lions jacket is in his closet now.”
“On Thanksgiving, the Lions were playing the Chicago Bears. My father was screaming and hollering at the TV, and my boys were all laughing. We wished we had recorded everything he was saying.”
The viewing is set for Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kemp Funeral Home at 24585 Evergreen Road, Southfield. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. at New Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, 21009 Ithaca Ave., Ferndale.
Frank Miles Jr. and his daughter Charmaine in 2003
