Charles LeRoy Giles, Jr.

Charlie Giles died on June 4, 2018, after an eight-year battle with a rare brain disorder, primary progressive aphasia. 

He was surrounded by his family, including his wife of 50 years, Cheryll; daughters, Cindy Giles of Long Beach, and Crisand Giles Perkins and her husband Ken Perkins of Roseville. Grandchildren, Ashley Perkins Moyer and her husband Charlie Moyer; Allen Perkins and his wife Erin; and great grandsons, Aiden and Eli Perkins, and Charlie and Colby Moyer, were a joy to him. 

Giles is survived by six siblings: Linda Giles of North Carolina, Jim Giles and Carol, David Giles and Ericka and Don Giles and Sue, all of Pennsylvania; Bob Giles and Nancy of Maryland and Kathy Giles of West Virginia. He also was blessed with many friends, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and their children. He loved living to see the multi-levels of family that will go on after him.

Giles was born in western Pennsylvania, and graduated from Ambridge Area High School and attended Clarion State University for two years before entering the General Electric (GE) machinists apprenticeship program in Erie, Pennsylvania. After graduation he worked for GE’s locomotive division in Erie for 10 years before moving to Pleasanton, California where he found his calling: He worked 22 years as an experimental machinist in government research for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, retiring in 2003. While there he worked on many defense department projects, including his favorite: the large optical diamond turning machine. On it, he created precise finishes and objects that will go on for decades after him, such as the secondary mirror for the Keck Observatory telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Giles and his wife retired to Groveland in 2003, then on to Sonora in 2014 and enjoyed their outdoor life in the Sierra foothills. Giles was a special man who was inventive, funny, loved nature, was willing to share his knowledge and help others and was a joy to know. He was partial to Hawaiian shirts, so in his memory feel free to wear one to his memorial service and celebration of life on Sunday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. at the Sonora Hills Community Room on Del Nero Drive in Sonora, California. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the national parks.