Fred Alvin Giles

Fred Alvin Giles, 75, passed away at his home on February 14, 2015. He was born to Clifford Alvin Giles and Phoebe Helen Hale in Duchesne, Utah on November 15, 1939. Fred attended Weber State University for pre-med classes, but switched careers and became a machinist and production engineer where he worked for Sperry Rand and Hill Air Force Base in Utah. He moved to California with his family and worked at Convair. He was Director of Rohr Industries of Chula Vista where he oversaw projects such as the first turbine-powered trains in the United States, the rapid transit system for San Francisco (BART) train car, Amtrak Trains, and the Hydro boat. In 1978, he brought his family to Arizona where he was the Assistant Director, and later became the Director of NAU Physical Resources for many years. He retired from ASU as Associate Director of Physical resources after being in a life-altering car accident from a drunk driver. Fred Giles met his future wife of 56 years when she was in kindergarten and he was in second grade. He proposed to marry her, and he did on Elvis Presley\u0027s birthday. He had a great belly laugh and a wonderful sense of humor. He was kind and loving and always put his family first. He was a hard worker, educator, a good friend, a brother, a great provider, Patriarch, protector, mechanic, councilor, doctor, spiritual guide, home-work helper, coach and ultimate fan to his kids\u0027 and grandkids\u0027 events. He loved long drives, celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving with his family, his wife\u0027s animals, and working in the yard. He was always supportive to his family, went to their church \u0026 school functions, had an awesome hook shot in basketball, played catcher in semi-pro baseball and enjoyed boxingbut mostly he was a man of God who loved his wife and spending time with the family. He was the kind of husband and dad that made a positive difference to his family and the world in which he lived. His warmth, wisdom and humor earned him the respect of his family and friends. He was someone who made the world a better place in which to live. He will be deeply missed. The family finds strength in remembering that families are forever. He is survived by his wife: Sanya Giles; three children Shelly Ann Giles, Fred John Giles and Saunya Kay-Giles Lawler; four grandchildren: Ryan Giles, Ashly Michelle Lawler, Britney Ann Lawler and John Cory Lawler; and his brother Ned Giles. Mr. Giles was preceded in death by his brother Frank J. Giles and his sister Jean Giles Schartrand. A visitation will be held Thursday February 19, 2015 at Westcott Funeral Home from 5-7pm. A funeral service will be held Friday February 20, 2015 at 10:00am at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood with a graveside service following at the Sedona Community Cemetery. A guestbook is available to sign at www.Westcottfuneralhome.com.