Donald Paul Giles

Don was the "life of the party" to those who knew him. He was a gregarious, caring man with a wry sense of humor. His family and friends miss him very much.

Don was born in Washington State and excelled at sports, including football and boxing. He met his wife Minerva, the love of his life, at a church social while he was studying at the University of Maryland. After graduation, they married secretly, as Minerva was still in nursing school and marriage was grounds for expulsion.

Don was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He excelled in his work in the Signal Corps, and attended OCS, becoming an officer. After completing his military service, he shifted his career towards engineering. He studied electrical engineering at Johns Hopkins University and later received his MBA from Rollins College. Don was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and was active at Suntree Methodist Church until his recent decline in health.

Don was a family man, the father of two, Donna and Steven Giles. While the family moved often during his career with IBM, Don made time for family vacations, including a trip to the Worlds Fair in New York in 1964.

After retirement, Don and Minerva moved to the Melbourne area. They enjoyed boating, square dancing together and travel. They toured the US and Canada in their RV. They spent many vacations with their grandsons, Daniel and Dylan, taking them on whirlwind trips in the RV. Both grandsons learned to love camping from their grandfather.

Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Minerva Smith Giles; his dear sister, Marcia Bourland of Seattle, WA; his children, Donna Giles of White Plains, NY and Steve (Cindi) Giles of San Jose, CA; grandsons, Daniel (Anna Marie) Giles of Raleigh, NC and Dylan Giles of Providence, RI; along with four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Emily Giles; his brothers, Albert and Carl Giles; and his nephew, Daniel Giles.

Funeral will be held on Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 AM at Florida Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne, FL 32940, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, PO Box 4777 New York, NY 10163.