John "Jack" B. Giles

John Bird Giles, 84, slipped away peacefully surrounded by his three children on a beautiful winter morning, Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born April 8, 1929 to John Wilford Giles and LaVerne Bird Giles in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He grew up on the Avenues, Graduated from East High School in 1947 and the University of Utah in 1951 with a BS degree in Marketing and a commission in the Air Force. He was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. Following graduation, he served at Cut Bank, Montana with the 681st AC&W Squadron and retired as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve.

He grew up in Salt Lake and began at 7 years of age in the floral industry at Huddart Floral Company, helping his father after school and joined him full time upon release from active duty. He later purchased the company and was very active in the floral industry serving on local, regional and national levels. He was a member of the American Academy of Florists (AAF) and served as Chairman in 1981-82. He was chairman of the Society of American Florist's 93rd annual convention in Salt Lake City in 1977 at the Hotel Utah. He served three years on the Florists Transworld Delivery Association (FTD) Membership Committee and ten years on the FTD President's Council on Government and Industry Affairs. He was the recipient of the very distinguished FTD John A. Valentine Award for exceptional service to the floral industry. He was a former member of Kiwanis Club of Salt Lake City. "Jack" gave his heart and soul to the floral community and was well respected.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served as Elders Quorum President, High Priests Group Leader, counselor to two bishops, Ward Clerk and most recently Ward Financial Clerk for 18 years.

He married Joan Wilkinson on April 20, 1956 and were sealed on March 15, 1967 They are the parents of 3 children, Julie, John Robert (Louisa) and Jennifer (Randall) Holley, Grandchildren, Elizabeth and John Alexander Giles, Devan, Taeler and Coleman Holley and Justin Jensen. Also survived by his nieces, Rebecca Mitchell, Catherine deToledo and Susan McCabe (Dennis) in the Dallas Fort Worth area and their families.

Proceeded in death by his parents, his wife, Joan who left to soon on December 31, 1992. His sister, Petrea Holt, passed away August 28, 2001 and Brother-in Law, Golden Holt Jr. who died April 17, 2013.

"I would like to thank my family, friends and past and present business associates for allowing me to be part of their lives." a