In Memory

John (Jack) Gilles

John (Jack) Gilles

John Michael Gilles(1948 - 2017)

A kind sharing loving soul, John (Jack) Michael Gilles, passed away June 20, 2017, at the age of 69. John came into this world the third son of Norman and Jeanette Gilles on March 20, 1948. He spent most of his youth moving around the world with his family and the Air Force, finally settling in the Puget Sound region. He graduated from Meadowdale High School in 1966. He was drafted and went to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne division. He was awarded a bronze star. When he came home from Vietnam, he went to Everett Community College where he was active in the Distributive Education Clubs of America. He was elected state president for DECA and was nationally recognized for his achievements. He went on to the University of Washington where he crewed with the light weight eights. In August 1973, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the Washington State National Guard and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Special Forces. He worked in real estate, teaching and was an independent builder for years. He enjoyed bicycling, climbing, hiking, sailing, and spending time with his daughter. In 1995 John decide to have a family. After many trials with the issue of a single man adopting, he went to China and came back with Dowdy Peng Yan Gilles. For the remainder of his life, she was his focus. His greatest joy in life was doing things for his daughter and he passed away while working on her new house. John was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanette, father, Norman and brother, Thomas. He leaves behind six brothers and three sisters: Norman, Alan, Maureen, Timothy, Teresa, Kevin, Mary, David, Stephen; his son-in-law, Jon Stevenson and his precious daughter, Dowdy Peng Yan. Services will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Friday July 7, 2017 at 3 p.m.
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Published in The Herald (Everett) on July 1, 2017



 
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01/05/19 01:21 PM #1    

Teri Williams

It sounds like he had an interesting & good life!  RIP.


01/06/19 04:30 AM #2    

James Davidson

So sorry to read this memory post.  Jack was a great classmate and a warrior.  He will be missed by all!

 


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