Bernell (Bernie) Jiles

Bernell (Bernie) Jiles, 87, went to be with his Lord on January 02,

2021. He passed quietly in his home, attended by family and

friends. We lost a giant of a man that day.

Bernie Jiles

Bernell was born on October 28, 1933, the son of Jack and

Margaret (Walker) Jiles. He is survived by his son, Dr. Michael B.

Jiles and his wife Holly of Larkspur Colorado; his daughter,

Tammy G. Jiles of Lawrence Kansas; his beautiful grandchildren:

Benjamin Jiles of Larkspur, Colorado, and wife Sierra (Cleburne)

of Texas, and Elijah Jiles and fiancé Sydney Henthorn of Larkspur

Colorado; granddaughter, Jessie Wendler of Lawrence, Kansas;

step-granddaughter, Rees Bristow of Portland, Oregon; great-

granddaughter, Blakley Jiles; two step-great-granddaughters: Lucia

and Everly Bristow. He is also survived by two brothers:

Raymond Jiles of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Jack Jiles and wife Shirley

of Sallisaw Oklahoma; his sister, Wanda Kay Smitson of Sallisaw, Oklahoma;

and many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Bernell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Loretta June

(Norvell) Jiles; his parents: Margaret and Jack Jiles; sister, Doris

(Jiles) Waters; two brothers-in-law, Billy Waters and Don

Smitson; and sister-in-law, Ola Dare (Stephens) Jiles.

Bernell was a native of Sequoyah County Oklahoma. He graduated

from Central High School in Hanson, Oklahoma. He attended

Connors State College from 1952 thru 1954 and graduated from

Northeastern State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science

in Education. Shortly after graduation, Bernell married the love of

his life Loretta (Norvell) Jiles and was immediately drafted into the

U.S. Army. He completed his term in the Army and continued to

serve his country in the Army Reserves for a total of 18 years.

Bernell entered the business world with a position at Continental

Supply. He then accepted a position at Leland Equipment Co as

manager of Parts and Service. In 1966 he joined Vickers Tulsa

Division in Sales and Marketing. In 1972 Bernell accepted a

position as Director of Marketing with Funk Mfg Division Gardner

Denver Corp in Coffeyville, Kansas. In 1982 he became the

President of Gear Products Inc. where he remained until his

retirement in 1997.

Bernell and Loretta were very active with their church. Bernell was

ordained Deacon of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Ok. He served

on The Board of Directors of the Tulsa Area Manufacturing

Association, The American Red Cross, Connors Development

Foundation as well as many other organizations. He was proud to

help design the First Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville, Ks.

Bernell loved sports. He played baseball in high school and went

on to teach baseball to young people and coached Little League.

He was passionate about his Church and lived his faith with

honesty, integrity and giving. Bernell always answered the call of

adventure. He traveled to many countries for his business, and

many business associates still remember Bernie as a great

personality. He was always kind and listened to what each person

he encountered had to say. He will be remembered with fond

esteem by those who worked with him as strategic, smart and

compassionate, with a good sense of humor and for his love of

family and his God that kept him going each day.

Bernell loved outdoor work and always had a beautiful garden,

which he shared with everyone. Bernell and Loretta always had

beautiful flower gardens and loved to help their children with their

garden projects.

During his retirement he studied and became an excellent

woodcarver, making beautiful carvings that he shared with his

family and loved ones. He enjoyed coin collecting with his

granddaughter and teaching his grandson the art of woodcarving.

After the death of his wife Loretta, Bernell moved to the home that

they were building in Larkspur, Colorado. Loretta never got to see

the home she designed with their Son Mike, but Bernell made sure

that every detail that she planned was fulfilled.

Bernell will be remembered for his hearty laugh and sense of

humor, his warmth, generosity, creativity, and his tender heart. He

loved people and helped so many.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at

Sallisaw Cemetery. At Bernell’s request, in lieu of flowers, he

requested a donation be made to “The River” his church in

Monument, Co.

The River

PO BOX 1107

Monument, CO

80132