Miles C. LaFay

9/27/1946 — 4/25/2026

Service Date: 6/13/2026
Get Directions to Service

Send a Condolence

Miles Clarence LaFay passed away peacefully Saturday, April 25, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with thyroid cancer. He was 79 years old.

Miles was born Sept. 27, 1946, in Council to Vernon “Bud” and Marcia LaFay. He was raised in New Meadows, Idaho, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors and small-town life. As a boy, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and skating on the river from town all the way to Zim’s Hot Springs. At just 14 years old, Miles began working at the Chevron Service Station, where he developed the strong work ethic that would define him throughout his life.

In 1964, at the age of 17, Miles graduated from high school and moved to Lewiston to live with his sister, Mona, and brother-in-law, Tom Anderson. He worked at the Spalding Sawmill for several years before being drafted into the United States Army.

Miles proudly served his country as a paratrooper and artilleryman with the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1966 to 1967. During his military service, he participated in Operation Junction City during the Vietnam War.

After returning home, Miles chose to continue a proud family tradition and became the fourth generation of LaFay barbers. He moved to Boise to attend barber college before returning to Lewiston, where he opened LaFay’s Barbershop on Eighth Street in 1969. For more than four decades, Miles became a familiar and trusted face in the community, sharing stories, laughter and friendship with generations of customers. In 2012, after 46 years behind the barber chair, he closed the doors of the shop due to his first battle with cancer. However, his passion for barbering never truly ended, and he continued cutting hair in a small shop he built in his backyard.

Miles lived life fully and enjoyed every season. He loved cars, motorcycles, skiing and boating on the river during the summer months. In the late 1980s, he discovered a passion for golf that would remain with him for the rest of his life. In 1988, he became a member of the Lewiston Golf and Country Club, where he spent countless days golfing with his wife, Susan, and many close friends. Winters were often spent with family and friends in New Meadows and McCall, skiing and making memories together at Brundage Mountain.

Above all else, Miles loved his family deeply. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Susan; his daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Jeff Sullivan, of Asotin; his son, Brent LaFay, of McCall; his brother and sister-in-law, Milton “Buddy” and Viki LaFay, of Meadows, Idaho; his brother-in-law, Tom Anderson and his cherished grandchildren, Brady Sullivan and Brendan and Alyse LaFay.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon “Bud” and Marcia LaFay; his sister, Mona Anderson; and his parents-in-law, Tom and Mary Smith.

Miles will be remembered for his strength, loyalty, humor, craftsmanship and the genuine kindness he shared with everyone who knew him. His legacy lives on through his family, friends and the countless lives he touched throughout the years.

Thank you to all his health care team including Michelle Dickenson, nurse practitioner at St. Joseph Regional Cancer Center, care providers at Heart n’ Home Hospice and Dr. Ripley for their compassionate healthcare services.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at River City Church, 2102 Eighth St., Lewiston. A celebration of life will follow at the Lewiston Elks Lodge, 3444 Country Club Drive, Lewiston.

Memorial donations may be made to a foundation of your choice in memory of Miles LaFay.

Service Information

Date & Time: Saturday, June 13, 2:00 PM
Location: River City Church
2102 Eighth Street
Lewiston , Idaho 83501

Get Directions
Additional Details: Celebration of Life to follow at The Lewiston Elks Lodge.