James Ashby Giles

James A. "Jack" Giles, 91, passed away Mon, June 8, 2015 at his home. He was born Dec. 26, 1923 to the late George and Della Giles. Jack was a hardworking man with outstanding character, whose life's journey held many exquisite stories. At age 7, he saved a little girl from drowning in the Layfayette River. During his childhood, Jack built houses with his father where he learned electrical, plumbing, etc. At 18, he joined the Army-Air Corps as a tail gunner in WWII. He flew 1500 miles between Saipan and Japan dropping bombs. After the army, Jack worked for the F.B.I. as a "special employee." Then, he joined the Marine Corps in 1950. In the Marines, he was a navigator, an instructor and was in the Korean and Vietnam War. During his time in the service, he saved another woman from drowning in the Ocean View area. He retired from the Marine Corps, as a Master Sergeant and went to CA to work as a dispatcher. After that he went to NY as a navigator on a DC 8 aircraft; flying from NY to London carrying cargo. Then Jack applied for a job for the F.A.A, but was denied because of a disability with his knees. On the letter they sent had a post mark label that said "Hire the handicapped". Jack wrote them back and said "Your letter was postmarked, ‘Hire the handicapped’". "So are you going to hire the handicapped or Not?" His response letter landed him the job. In 1967 he trained in OK, and then went to the headquarters in DC. He was an aviation specialist for the F.A.A. In 1985 Jack retired ending his long working career. Jack was preceded in death by his 7 year old son, James A. Giles Jr. in 1961. Left to cherish Jack's memory are his beloved wife, Joyce; his children, Jeanna, John Allen, and Andrew; step-children, Larry Velmar and Laura Frank; 7 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m., Wed., June 17, 2015 at Rosewood Memorial Park.