James E. "Jim" Giles

Jim was born February 28, 1945 to WWII Coast Guard veterans who met on duty in West Palm Beach: Grace, a long-time Polk County school teacher, and Emmett, a lifetime agriculture worker. Jim was born at Winter Haven Hospital and Baptised at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winter Haven and remained a dedicated Episcopalian. He attended Auburndale High School where he was a member of the FFA and won election as the school’s first State FFA Officer. While in high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 115. During these years he was ambitious in both his leadership and academic endeavors. After completing his year of service as State FFA Vice President, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he proudly served in the school’s cafeteria. From there, he moved on to the University of Florida where he graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Agribusiness. Following graduation, he proudly assisted UF in its landmark Agricultural labor study. After meeting and interviewing many agriculture industry leaders for the study, he settled on a desire to work for Ben R. Adams, then President of Adams Packing Corporation in Auburndale. Over the next 15 years Jim negotiated labor contracts and oversaw safety as an executive for the company under his mentor.

Jim was an integral part of Auburndale’s professional civic and service club community. He was a 51-year member and three-time Auburndale Rotary Club President. He served as president of the Auburndale Chamber of Commerce, leading the 1976 Bicentennial Committee.

After his time at Adams Packing, Jim started Polk Landscaping Services to “be his own boss” and stay close to his children. Over the next 25 years he performed all functions of the business from pulling weeds to sales. Many of his longtime Rotary and Chamber friends supported him by utilizing his services.

Jim’s family most remembers his many hobbies and side business ventures as Jim never sat still. A partial list includes fire alarm business, choir singer & soloist, Boy Scout Leader, Amway, landlord, citrus grower, advice giver, cockatiel breeder, finch breeder, poinsettia grower, mum grower, cattle rancher, pigeon racer, blueberry farmer, sheep herder, hunter, model plane enthusiast, wood turner, canary grower, Rotaract mentor at Florida Polytech, orchid collector, estate auction collector, scholarship administrator, and fisherman.

Jim’s pride and joy was his family. He dearly loved his parents, brother, sister, children, grandchildren, niece, nephews, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded by his brother Charles “Chuck” Giles and survived by his sister, Linda Giles Sorrells; son, James Giles (Jill), his children Jackson, Bailey, and Abigail; and daughter Joy Giles Marin (Rexcel), her children Josiah and Gabriel.

James and Joy wish to convey gratitude to the family and friends who showed care and concern to Jim throughout his challenge with dementia.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 202 Pontotoc St, Auburndale, FL 33823.

A donation is preferred (in lieu of flowers) to the Rotary Club of Auburndale PO Box 711, Auburndale, FL, 33823. A check can also be brought to the celebration of life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Giles family.