James Joseph Giles

Jim Giles, a 20-year resident of Sisters, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on August 21. He was 87.

Jim was born in Newark, New Jersey to Theresa and James Giles (U.S. Army) on September 29, 1921, growing up an only child but living with extended family, including his grandmother.

His high school days were marked by excellence in athletics as captain of the rifle and swim teams; he also enjoyed tennis and body building. Health and fitness became lifelong passions, along with music, reading, photography and cooking.

Graduating from the University of New Jersey at Newark in 1942 with a degree in mechanical engineering, he moved to New York and then joined the US Navy, which sent him on to MIT for additional training, later specializing in underwater demolition. Just as he was being commissioned for his first ship, World War II ended.

Lieutenant Commander James J. Giles retired from the service in the early 1950s. He did, however, continue his engineering career as a civilian contractor for the Navy, taking him to Portland, San Diego, Hawaii and San Bruno, California, specializing in quality control, efficiency evaluation and building inspections.

Upon retiring, he moved to Santa Rosa and was dedicated to ministry, graduating from the Genesis Bible Institute in 1974. He worked in many outreach programs including those for prisoners and nursing homes, sharing his love for the Lord.

In 1989 he found his way north to Sisters and set up the Double J Ranch, where he lived with his three beloved dogs, Caleb, Joanna and Deborah, often taking them with him to services at Chapel in the Pines in Camp Sherman, after which he would stop at the Camp Sherman Store for a sandwich and head out for a walk along the Metolius River with his "kids." He was a thoughtful man whose kind, compassionate, generous way - along with a well-earned reputation for fabulous baked goods - made him many friends.

Honoring his love of animals, memorial contributions may be sent to the Redmond Humane Society.

Jim's internment at Camp Polk Cemetery was on August 24, and there will be a Celebration of Life service at the Camp Sherman Community Hall, September 12 at 4 p.m. Call 549-9945 for more information.