April 11, 1930-November 3, 2019
Victor Rolland “Vic” Giles passed away on November 3, 2019 in his sleep next to the love of his life for 68 years, Eileen. Vic was born and died within one mile in Loma, Colorado; the place he called home. He was 89 years old.
Vic was born on April 11, 1930 to Alfred and Florence (Long) Giles in Loma, Colorado. He graduated from Fruita Union High School in 1948. During High School Vic was all state quarter back for their high school football team, played on the their baseball team as an excellent catcher, as well as being involved in the high school boxing and basketball teams. After attending Colorado State University for a few semesters, he came back to the Grand Valley and played for the Eagles, the semi pro baseball team in Grand Junction. He was very proud of his “inside the park” game winning homerun he made during the 1950 season.
In 1949 he met, Norma E. “Eileen” Niehues and married her on November 23, 1951. On July 4, 1952, Vic was in a very serious motorcycle accident. He spent 5 days in ICU and almost died from his injuries. Luckily, this world still needed more from him. He fully recovered and in 1953 he had his first child. Over the next 7 years, Vic and Eileen had a total of 4 beautiful children. Vic took over the family farm in Loma with his brother Pete and this became Vic’s livelihood. Throughout the years, they grew sugar beets for Holly Sugar, tomatoes for Kunners, barley for Coors, corn, alfalfa, and onions. At one point Vic decided to try his hand at sheep ranching. He was amazing with sheep. In the summers, his family would trail the sheep from the Hairpin (Shin Park) near Montrose to Blue Mesa and on to Animas Forks near Silverton. In winters the sheep were trailed from Loma to what later became Canyon Lands National Park near Moab, Utah. Vic later sold most of the sheep and began raising cattle. He went to school to become an Artificial Insemination Technician and continued to build up the cattle business and to this day it is still thriving. Vic shared his love for animals with his children and his grandchildren who now continue his legacy.
Vic served as the Vice-President of the Mesa County Tomato Growers Association in the mid-1950s and was named “Outstanding Tomato Grower.” In the late 1970s Vic served as Vice-President of the Fruita Consumers Coop. During that time he traveled to various places including Hawaii and Acapulco touring farms. Vic also loved flying. He worked hard to get his private pilot license. He became a shareholder in a Piper Tri-pacer single engine plane which he flew often. One time the whole family flew to Albuquerque to visit Sis, Vic’s sister.
When asked about his life, Vic stated that he “always tried to follow the golden rule”. Vic always wanted to take care of those around him and wanted to make sure things were fair. He enjoyed spending time with others playing cards and participating in bowling tournaments. He won a doubles tournament in Grand Junction with his partner Ray Kipp in 1976. He loved his family, his friends and his neighbors and they loved him right back.
Survivors include his wife Norma E. “Eileen” (Niehues) Giles; children, Glenn (Linda) Giles of Westminster, CO; Vicki (Joe) Russell of Loma; Alan (Beckie) Giles of Loma; his sister Ruth Bond of Universal City, TX; 9 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John “Pete” Giles and a son, Dale Giles.
Funeral services will be at 1 pm Saturday November 9, 2019 at Martin Mortuary, 550 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens, 2970 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO. A reception will be held in Loma at AP Ranch, 1351 Q Road, Loma, CO immediately following.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Victor Rolland Giles to Hope West (hopewestco.org).
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