Colonel Roy Monroe Giles Jr.
Retired United States Air Force
Roy Monroe Giles Jr., retired Colonel, United States Air Force, passed away March 22, 2024, in Payson, Utah, after a wonderful full life of 90
years.
He was born on September 25, 1933. He was the oldest of six children, including Alta Moser, Paul Giles, Wilma Holloway, Emil Giles, and Loren Giles. He married Ila Delores Turner Tobin in 1963, raised two children, then later married Doris Kathleen Catten in 1991.
Roy’s early years took place in Arkansas and from there his parents moved the family to Ontario, CA. where he graduated from Chaffey High School. He became an enlisted member of the Air Force working initially as a mechanic for the B-47 Stratojet. Roy was accepted to the Officer’s Candidate Training School and upon completion of his training he became a co-pilot as a 2nd Lieutenant flying KC -135 Air Refueling Tankers and progressed through the Officer Ranks. In 1961, Roy was transferred to McCoy AFB in Orlando, Florida in support of the Bay of Pigs. After leaving Orlando, he was assigned to Castle AFB, CA as a simulator instructor and continued to fly the KC-135’s Air Refueling Tanker. His next transfer was to Montgomery, Alabama at the Air Command and Staff College 
where he received additional training for advancement. Roy served in Vietnam flying the C-7 Caribou while instructing South Vietnamese aviators to fly jets. He returned home assigned to staff operations located in Riverside, CA at March AFB while attending night school at Chapman University where he received a bachelor’s degree in business. His career led him to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota where he became a Commander of the 28th Air Refueling Squadron leading a staff of over 200. His final Air Force assignment stationed him to Norton AFB at the Air Command and Staff College where he retired in 1983 as a full Colonel.
Roy received the following medals and awards during his Air Force career:
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Meritorious Service Medal w/1 OLC
- Air Medal w/3 OLC
- AF Outstanding Unit Award w/V & 2 OLC
- AF Organizational Excellence Award
- Combat Readiness Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Medal w/1 SS
- Vietnam Service Medal w/3 SS
- AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon w/6 OLC
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal authority/AFR 900-10
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/PALM
- Foreign Decoration (Training Service Honor Medal, First Class, Vietnam)
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
OLC – Oak Leaf Cluster
PALM – Palm Leaf
SS- Service Star
V – Valor
Upon retiring from the Air Force, Roy was hired by Northrup Grumman in Pico Rivera, CA. He was part of a team of technical writers responsible for producing the safety and flight instruction manual for the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.
From 1972 to the early 1980’s, Roy was a member of several Presbyterian churches in Riverside, CA, Rapid City, South Dakota, and later Redlands, CA.
After meeting Doris, Roy later became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ministering and serving families in whatever capacity he was needed. He and Doris were sealed together in the San Diego, CA Temple in September 1994.
When his family was young, he loved building and working on some of their early homes, taking road trips and vacations through the Black Hills, Wyoming, and the Grand Canyon to name a few. Roy loved cars, and anything to do with Fords. He owned Mustangs, Thunderbirds, and Broncos throughout his life to name a few. A devoted husband, loving father and supportive son to his parents, Roy made his family feel loved and cherished. After Roy and Doris retired, they enjoyed traveling and exploring new places with many including Doris’ siblings Dennis and Marva Catten, Miriam and Al Cole, and Janis & Mark Widing. Genealogy was one of his favorite things which inspired him to travel to faraway places, like England, Ireland, and locations across the U.S. Roy and Doris were dedicated grandparents and enjoyed traveling from state to state to be at all the various grandchildren’s activities and sports.
In March 2022, Roy moved to Orchard View Assisted Living in Payson, Utah where he enjoyed new friends, new activities, and outings. He was loved, respected, well cared for, and his days there were happy and peaceful.
He is survived by his children: Monroe Giles, Sonja Fife, Chris and David Hodges, Louis Quin and Debbie Corbridge, Richard and Elaine Corbridge, his grandchildren: Parker, Austin, Davis, Matthew Quin and Julia, Rachel and Dain, Derek and Jessica, Micah and Marjorie, Addie and Philip, Louis Quin and Victoria, Casey, Sam and Hollie, Seth and Gaby, Joe, Jenna, and 18 great-grandchildren.
Roy is preceded in death by his wife, Doris Kathleen Catten, parents, Ruth Catherine West and Roy Monroe Giles Sr. and siblings, Alta, Paul and Wilma.
Service Information
Friday, March 29, 2024
Walker Funeral Home
187 South Main Street
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
(801) 798-2169
Viewing: 10:00 – 10 :45 A.M.
Family Prayer: 10:45 – 11:00 A.M.
Service: 11:00 A.M.
Interment
March 29th, 2024, 1:30 P.M.
Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park
17111 South Camp Williams Road
Bluffdale, Utah 84065
To view the Military Honors Presentation LIVE,
please click on the following link a few minutes prior to service beginning at the cemetery at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024
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