Mr. James G. Pyles Sr.

James G. Pyles, Sr., 83, Delaware, died Friday June 25, 2010 in the Delaware Hospice Center. He was the husband of the late Catherine Ream Pyles. He was born in Lebanon on November 20, 1926 a son of the late John and Mabel Snyder Pyles. He served in the U. S. Navy during WW2 and had been employed by the Cornwall Mines and had been a class “A” mechanic retiring in 1982 with 30 years of service. He was a member of Tabor U. C. C. and worked part-time as a maintenance person for Shawn’s Hideaway in Delaware for 28 years. He enjoyed boating and fishing. He is survived by children: James G. Pyles, Jr. and wife Joanne, Lebanon; Rosemary Thierwechter, Lebanon; Nancy M. Houser, Lebanon; Bonnie wife of Patrick Gardner, Morgantown; 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother; George and wife Betty Pyles, FL; sisters: Rosemary Rittle, Lebanon, Shirley Leibold, Lebanon; Jeanette Reed, Middletown; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers: Harvey Kelly, Lloyd Pyles, Richard Pyles, John Pyles. Funeral services will be Friday 10:00 A.M. in the Rohland Funeral Home, 5th & Cumberland Sts., Lebanon where a viewing will held beginning at 9:00 A.M. Interment will be made in the National Cemetery at Ft. Indiantown Gap. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, DE 19963.

His Hobbies

Dad loved camping, boating, fishing, watching old movies, especially westerns with John Wayne. Some of his favorite TV Shows were Two and a half men and the Rachael Ray show. In his younger years he rode motorcycles. He and my mother Catherine P. Pyles in their younger years competed in Roller Skating competitions and won some trophies.

Work History and Ethic

He worked for Bethlehem Steel and elected an early retirement when Bethlehem steel closed their doors.

One year prior to the closiing of Bethlem steel James had earned six weeks of vacation time. He took the entire 6 weeks at once and spent most of the summer down at the beach.

He was employed Part time at Shawn's Hideaway. Dad did not like to miss work and was very dedicated to his employers.

World War II

James Garth Pyles Sr, an S2C, Seaman First Class USNR and was on the U.S.S. LST 651 and crossed the equator on February 9th, 1945. As a result of crossing over the equator he received a letter from the "Royal High Court of the Realm of Neptune In and for the District of Equatorius. Issues by the people of the Realm of the deep" He was summoned as a Pollywog and as such had to go through an initiation process.

He did not like to talk about the war much. However, he was proud to serve as a member of the US militalry and fibbed about his age in order to receive an assignment in the US Navy.

During his time in World War II dad actually lost all of his personal belongings twice because both of the Navy ships he was assigned to had been bombed and destroyed.

The Navy ID indicated he had brown hair, Hazel eyes and Weighed 148 pounds.

He was Honorably Discharged from the Unites States Navy on May 12th, 1946.

This was recorded May 17th, 1946 Book 2 on Page 124.

THe certificate was a "C" series and the certificate number is C3529955

Friends

He had many friends. He personally told me one of his best friends in his lifetime was Harvey Baldwin. Coincidentally Harvey and my father worked together for Shawn's Hideaway.

School days

Dad was neither absent nor tardy for school in 1934, age 8; 1935, age 9; 1938; age12; 1939, age 13; 1940 age 14

Religious background

He was baptised as a Christian at the First Evangelical & Reformed Church on April 24th, 1927.

The Baptism was administered by Rev. William D. Happel Pastor of the church at that time.

The Baptism papers were signed on December 22nd in 1943.

By Rev. Malcom E. Barr at 123 South 10th Street, Lebanon, Pa 17042.

In his younger years he was also a member of Tabor U.CC. Methodist church.

Sports

Dad’s favorite sport was NASCAR; his favorite driver was Dale Enrhardt Jr. He also enjoyed watching Gymnastics, Figure Skating and the Olympics.

Vacation and Travel

During World War II dad spent time in Manila in the Philippine Islands and in Shang Hai China.

My mother Catherine and my dad enjoyed going to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Kings Dominion in Virginia where he enjoyed riding the roller coasters and the Bezerker, a pirate ship that actually went upside down. My parents also enjoyed going to Disney world and Epcot.

In dads later years he would go to the big Nascar Race the Daytona 500 with my uncle George and cousin Scott Pyles. They camped out in the infield to watch the race.

After Catherine passed away he decided to go and spend the winters with Uncle George in Florida. George Pyles resided at the time in Port Orange, Florida.

Pets:

In my Grandma Mable's house growing up there were many dogs in the house. Grandma Mable babied Claytons hunting dogs so badly that they would no longer hunt.

He was a true dog lover.

As his youngest daughter Bonnie was growing up they had a brown poodle named Cocoa and in 1980 a German Sheppard mix named Lady. Lady came from the Human Society of Lebanon County. She had been abused and was very skittish and afraid of people. One day on 1984 dad was working on the new addition to the house and he was hammering and he yelled for lady and she got scared and ran away. Unfortunately we never found Lady.

Community Involvement

Jim was not a member of any club or organization however; he was always there when you needed a hand. He would help anyone in their time of need. As a rule he left his shed with all of his tools unlocked in case anyone needed to use them. In most cases the tools were returned. If not he just figured someone else needed them more than he did.

Retirement and Work Ethic

He retired from Bethlehem Steel after 30 plus years of employment in which he received a golden spoon.

He worked part time for Shawn's Hideaway for over 28 years. He also enjoyed doing carpentry work for his friends and neighbors.

He was a hard worker and rarely missed work and was a very dedicated employee.

Personality Traits

Jim was a hard working, kind, generous, loving, forgiving, helpful, trusting man who had a great sense of humor. He could also at times, be very stubborn.