James B. Giles Jr.

Jim was born on September 6, 1922 in Austin, Texas to James Bascom and Effie Dean Giles. He was raised in Austin and known to his friends and family as “JB”. He attended Austin High School and graduated as senior class president and captain of the varsity football team. He received a nomination from Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson to attend West Point Military Academy and graduated in three years on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He served as an infantry officer in World War II and Korea. During his military career he played for the West Point football team “The Cadets”, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was a POW in Germany, received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star medal and was an instructor at West Point and the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Following World War II he served in the Military Government during the occupation of Japan. He was a founder of the West Point Society of Houston and a proud member until his death. He adopted the West Point motto “Duty, Honor, Country” which influenced the way he lived his life. Jim will be remembered for his integrity, humility and respectful kind demeanor.

When Jim retired from the military after twelve years of service, he became a manufacturing manager and representative with several Houston companies. He worked for TRW Mission for over twenty years and then as a manufacturer’s representative until his retirement.

Jim was an avid sportsman with a passion for tennis, jogging, camping, hunting and fishing. He loved nature and being outdoors and he especially enjoyed fly fishing and hiking in Colorado and Wyoming. He was a member of the Racquet Club where many hours were spent in healthy competition on the tennis and racquet ball courts. He took great pleasure in reading daily, traveling and time spent with family.

Jim Giles was a faithful Christian and throughout his life he served as a church leader and teacher. He was a former member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Houston but later in life was called, along with his wife Everlyn, to help establish several Houston churches, Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Christ the King Presbyterian Church. Jim was proud to be an elder of the Presbyterian church, was a spiritual mentor, chaplain for prison ministries and had a heart for community outreach. He silently supported many local and national charities and set a fine example of serving others in need.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rogan Banton Giles of Austin and his first wife Mary Gene Catlett Giles. He is survived by his wife of 29 years Everlyn McMillian Cummins Giles and his three children and their families, Daughter: Susan Elizabeth Giles of Houston, Son: Dr. James B. Giles and wife Lisa of Marble Falls and children Jordan Giles Coldrick and husband Tommas, Sarah and Blakeley, Daughter: Anne Giles Jarvis and husband Tim Jarvis of Austin and children Mary Catherine and Elizabeth. Also surviving Jim are his stepchildren and their families: Jim and Ellen Cummins of Houston and children Jim, William and Kristen, Susan Cummins of Houston, and Bob and Melanie Cummins of Dallas and their children Bob, Sam and Gus. Additionally Jim is survived by his nieces and nephews Jackson Hooper of Houston, Mary Hooper Bell of Austin, Rogan B. Giles of Austin and Genie Lee Giles of Houston.

The family wishes to thank those that have been caring for Jim the past few years of his life especially Gladys Martinez, Osie Williams, Pamela Guillory, and Renee Nwadike.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 10th of October, at Christ the King Presbyterian Church, 1201 Silber Road in Houston, where Rev. Clay Holland, Senior Pastor will officiate. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception. Prior to the service the family will gather for a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be given in the name of James B. Giles, Jr. to the Long Grey Line Endowment in care of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Amazing Place of Houston or to a charity of your choice. Donations to the Long Grey Line Endowment can be made by contacting [email protected] or by calling (845) 446.1658. Donations to Amazing Place can be made at www.amazingplacehouston.org or by calling (713) 552-0420.

“Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.” - Henry Clay