J. Gordon Gilles 1936 - 2008

JGordon Gilles Photo
J. Gordon Gilles, 72, 16 24th St. NW, Minot, died Thursday, March 20, 2008 in his home.

Gordon was born March 4, 1936 in Riceville, Iowa, the son of John and Lois (Simpson) Gilles. He attended grade school in Riceville and moved to Lyndon Station, WI. During the 8th grade he moved to Garrison, ND and graduated from Garrison High School in 1954. He was elected senior class president in 1953 and has held that position for 55 years. During his junior year in 1953, he played on the Garrison High School basketball team that was runner-up in the State Class B Tournament.

In June of 1954 he entered the United States Air Force and served in Texas; Alabama; Iowa; Missouri; Nagoya, Japan and Naha, Okinawa. In June of 1958 he was honorably discharged and he returned to Minot, ND. He went to work for the Minot Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. He attended and graduated from Minot State Teacher's College with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech and hearing in 1962. From 1959 to 1962 he served with the Air Force Reserves and was discharged as a Technical Sergeant.

He married Doris Barrow on December 27, 1958 at Garrison, ND. They lived in Minot all their married life. They have four children. Gordon retired in 1998 and he enjoyed traveling. His spare time was spent fishing, hunting and woodworking.

Gordon was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot, where he served on the Parish Council as president and was a member of the Building and Grounds Committee. He also served as an usher, lector, Eucharistic Minister, mass server, greeter and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4894 and served as Grand Knight, where he was awarded Outstanding North Dakota State District Deputy.

Those who shared in his life, wife, Doris Gilles, Minot; sons, John (Tammy) Gilles, Minot and Jerome (JoAnn) Gilles, Ankeny, IA; daughters, Joan (Randy) Gust, Minot and Julie (Jeff) Magera, Sartell, MN; five grandchildren, John Paul Gilles, Josie Gilles, Nick Bakke, Trevor Gust and Tanner Gust; brother, William (Eileen) Gilles, Glastonbury, CT; sisters, Mary Gilles, Torrance, CA and Theresa (Jess) Mahon, San Diego, CA; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins survive.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lois Gilles.

Funeral: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot.

Visitation and vigil prayer service: Visitation Tuesday, March 25, 2008, from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, and from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot, with the vigil prayer service at 7:00 at the church.

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND

Memorials are preferred to St. John the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund or to the American Cancer Society.

Celebrants of the Liturgies: Father David Zimmer and Gordon's brother, Deacon Bill Gilles

Music
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church Men's Choir
Processional, "Be Not Afraid"
Offertory, "Hear I Am Lord"
Communion, "I Am The Bread Of Life"
CD Selection "I Can Only Imagine"
Recessional, "The Strife is Over The Battle Done"
Sarah Dimond, accompanist

Honorary Bearers
Garrison High School Class of 1954 and Minot Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic co-workers

Active Bearers: Leo Haider, Dr. Duane Butts, Dr. Bill Wassink, Lynn Hummel, Jim Barrow Rick Vreeland

Military Honors: Members of the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard

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