James Dee Giles

August 29, 1937 - April 5, 2021

James Dee Giles, 83, of Mint Hill died Monday, April 5 2021 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Jim was born and raised in McKeesport, PA on August 29, 1937 and was the son of James Robert and Mary Virginia Giles. Jim was one of three children including his brother Robert and sister Judy. Jim married his wife Patti on September 22, 1978 in Willowick, OH. They later moved to Charlotte NC in 1981. Jim had a long career in the Mechanical Engineering industry, including work on several notable projects for the state government and the University of North Carolina school system. Some of the notable projects included various work on: NC State University, Appalachian State and UNC Charlotte campuses. Throughout his career Jim was an active member in the A.S.H.R.A.E. chapter of NC. Jim retired from United Engineering Group, Inc./McKim & Creed in 2007. Outside of work Jim and family enjoyed traveling and taking numerous photos of all his trips. Some of the memorable trips included: Many cruises, Alaska, Hawaii, London, and a lot of stops in the Caribbean Islands. He also enjoyed filling his time with various wood working and home improvement projects. One of Jim’s biggest passions was running. After a mild heart attack in the 90s Jim took up running after rehab. He ran on behalf of numerous charity groups through Run for your Life, Team in Training, Girls on the Run, etc. Through his running career he ran over 10+ full marathons and countless half-marathon, 10k, 5k, etc. races (including a couple of triathlons). Patti accompanied Jim and Tom on several out of town races and marathons – which they were sure they would be taking turns driving back. While Patti was driving home after the races, they were famously quoted as saying: “we are never doing that again” (which of course they did…many more times). Jim is survived by his wife Patti Giles of Mint Hill, NC; his son Scott (wife Jaimie) Giles and their son Aiden of Roswell, GA; and his sister Judy (husband Chuck) Ricciotti of McKeesport, PA. He is further survived by numerous other family members including Jeff, Sandi, Linda and their families. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert and other family including Susan and Christopher. The family will not be hosting a formal service but will be celebrating his memory privately. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate in Jim’s honor to any of the below charities (or a charity of your choice): American Heart Association – https://www.heart.org American Diabetes Association – https://donations.diabetes.org Hilarity for Charity – https://wearehfc.org