Larry Mills Giles

Larry Mills Giles was born on his grandfather Shirley’s farm in Anderson County, South Carolina; the middle son of the late Harry McCarley Giles and Lillian Shirley Giles. He grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina, and graduated from Ashley High School class of 1956. His mother and brothers instilled in him a strong work ethic, and he worked from a young age to save money for college. His years at UNC Chapel Hill were some of his fondest, where he saw great figures of the 20th century such as Duke Ellington, John Kennedy, and Robert Frost. He graduated in 1960 with a B.A. in Economics.

He joined the the U.S. Army as a volunteer in 1960 and was assigned to the Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He was stationed in Washington D.C. and was honorably discharged in 1962.

In 1963 he moved to Atlanta, GA and began working for the U.S. Department of Labor as an administrator for job training programs in the Southeastern U.S. He was an honest, dedicated civil servant and was motivated by a strong belief in value and dignity of work as a social good. He was very active in the establishment of the CETA program, and also worked as an administrator in the JTPA program. After 32 years of service he retired from the Dept. of Labor in Dec. 1995.

Shortly after moving to Atlanta he met his future wife Dean Roberts, who shared his values and sense of humor. Together they made a home with a son Robert and a daughter Emily. He was a loving father and husband and a kind-hearted friend and neighbor. He loved “jogging” and participated in almost every Peachtree Road Race from 1978 to 2000. He will be remembered by all as a great dog-lover.

In his later years as he developed dementia he maintained a child-like innocence that served him well. He loved giving compliments, and he maintained a wonder at the beauty of nature and the joy of friendships old and new until the last.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Dean Roberts Giles, and his brothers Harry M. Giles Jr. and James Allen Giles Sr. He is survived by his son Robert Armstrong Giles of Atlanta, his daughter Emily Catherine Giles of Athens and his sisters-in-law: Mrs Charles H. Jones of Winder, Mrs. Harry M. Giles Jr. and Mrs James Allen Giles Sr. both of Greensboro N.C.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Crest Lawn Memorial Park.

In recognition of his love of dogs and cats, memorials may be made to the Atlanta Humane Society.