Eastern Oklahoma Says Goodbye To Jim Giles

For 25 years Jim Giles kept Oklahoma families safe from the storm. He warned us when it was time to take cover and told us when it was safe to come out. <br/><br/>Tuesday, hundreds of people turned out

Tuesday, December 26th 2006, 10:06 am

By: News On 6

For 25 years Jim Giles kept Oklahoma families safe from the storm. He warned us when it was time to take cover and told us when it was safe to come out.

Tuesday, hundreds of people turned out to say thank you and honor the memory of a man who meant so much, to so many. Jim Giles would have felt at home at Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, among all the folks he called "friend."

The memorial service was planned for another place, but soon the community's outpouring of love proved the need for a larger location. So Rhema Bible Church offered a place big enough to hold all the people who cared so much about Jim Giles.

Rev. George Eber with St. Antony Orthodox Christian Church: "This is a labor of love, and for Jim I believe, a labor I believe he could not turn away from. It's a calling, a gift from God for the well being of all."

The hundreds filling the pews, the traditional Orthodox hymns and a sea of flowers served as a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life serving the people of eastern Oklahoma.

Rev. George Eber: "Jim wanted to be remembered for having done his job, a good job, well Jim it was a superb job."

There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel when the lights dimmed for a special video tribute.

Rev. George Eber: "You must also, I believe, see Jim as more than a weatherman, more than a forecast of atmospheric conditions, we must see him as a man who was the weather, he was the atmosphere, the atmosphere that brought in sunshine and gave us confidence and assurance in stormy times during the weather and during life."

Donations
In lieu of flowers the Gilesâ€™ family has asked that donations be made in Jimâ€™s memory to one of three places:

Gilesâ€™ Coats for Kids, you can drop off a new or gently used coat at any Yale Cleaners location thru December 31st.

American Heart Association in Tulsa, call toll-free 1-800-242-8721 or www.americanheartassociation.org, the website will have instruction on â€œMemorial Giving.â€

American Cancer Society in Tulsa, call toll free 1-888-376-1725 or www.cancer.org
Or mail to:
4110 S. 100 E. Ave., Suite 101
Tulsa, OK 74147

Donations to the Cancer Society should be earmarked for â€œResearchâ€ per the Gilesâ€™ family wishes.

American Heart Association

American Cancer Society