Michael Jeffry Liles

His personal doctor said that Mike Liles was likely taken from this world by broken heart syndrome. His heart had certainly suffered much strain, and his character did not allow him to seek relief--he loved with all his might, and wherever he recognized the greatest need. This impulse led him into a four-decade career in the temporary labor business. He never could kick the habit of believing in people who no longer believed in themselves. Thousands of laborers, his own children at their most discouraged--even the man who took his wife's life--he always wanted them to know that their creator loved them and so they should love themselves.

His compassion was confrontational, but with a winsome silliness. In his 20s, he joined a man standing on a freeway exit who was holding a sign reading, "Will work for food." Liles had his own sign, "No he won't." He had offered the man a job with a good wage and the man had rejected the offer. That silliness, and that confrontational spirit, made him the perfect match for Debbie Camp, his wife of 41 years. He delighted in his identity as the music teacher's "boyfriend."

When Debbie was killed last March, Mike's greatest comfort was the hope of fighting for justice and comforting others. A year ago he took over as executive director of the Justice Coalition. He had been fighting hard to secure passage of Marsy's Law, the Victims' Bill of Rights. He inspired his children so much in this, as he had in so much else throughout their lives. His children look back at their childhood with wonder and gratitude, and their father's work with pride and resolve. Rachel, Dana, Michelle, Gerald, and Rockey, as well as their spouses and nine children, are committed to carrying on Mike's legacy; they will be silly, confrontational, and will fight to make our society more just and loving. His memorial service take place at 4:00pm on Saturday, October 20 at Deermeadows Baptist Church.

You may leave words of comfort and sympathy at www.Hardage-GiddensChapelHills.com. HARDAGE-GIDDENS CHAPEL HILLS, 850 Saint Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225, is serving the family.