John Ernest Giles - Class of 1952

[Bob]

John Ernest Giles, Jr, age 96, of Knoxville passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Shannondale Nursing Home. John was a member of the West End Church of Christ. He was previously a member of the South Knoxville Church of Christ where he served for many years as an Elder. He worked as a carpenter, and served as the Recording Secretary and Business Agent for the East TN United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Union where he was instrumental in getting the carpenter’s apprentice program established. He retired from Baptist Hospital where he performed maintenance. John graduated from Rule High School in 1952, and served as a marine in WWII on the battleship North Carolina in the Pacific, and also served during the Korean War. John is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Blanche Ozell Gregory Giles; his parents, John Ernest Giles, Sr and Hattie Emert Giles of Knoxville; siblings Charlie Giles, Helen Gibbs, Dorothy Whaley Haywood, and William Jack Giles; and son-in-law Ron Ballard. He is survived by his sister Theda Marie; children, Linda Ballard, Jesse (Doree) Giles, David (Charlotte) Giles, Kevin (Daphne) Giles, Anita (John) Wharton; 10 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm on Friday May 6th at West End Church of Christ, 8301 East Walker Springs Lane, with a Celebration to follow at 7 pm with Minister Jeremy Weekly officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East Tennessee Cancer Specialists. www.tncancer.com