Graveside services for Robert A. Jiles, Jr. will be held 2:00 P.M., Sunday December 27, 2020 at the Spearsville Cemetery with Brother Tommy Bennett of Antioch Church of Christ officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M., Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Farmerville.
Mr. Jiles was born on July 16, 1924 in Vienna, LA and passed away peacefully on December 22, 2020 at the age of 96. As a young man he was baptized at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA, an event that was inspirational for his entire family. He was a resident of the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Monroe and previously lived in Spearsville, Louisiana for more than 50 years. Mr. Jiles was a veteran of the United States Army, having earned the rank of Corporal during the Korean War.
A graduate of Ruston High School, Mr. Jiles earned a BS degree in Forestry from the first graduating class at LA Tech in 1948, and a Masters in Forestry from Duke University in 1956. He worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority, the US Forest Service, and the LA Forestry Commission before working for several large forest products companies in north La and south AR. Mr. Jiles was owner of Bernice Wood Company with wood yard facilities in Bernice and Spearsville. He also maintained cattle and poultry operations on his farm. Mr. Jiles enjoyed the outdoors while pursing his passions of hunting, fishing and gardening. He also never tired of a good game of dominoes.
Mr. Jiles was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ruth West Jiles; his parents Robert and Selma Jiles; sisters, Maurie Foster and Claudia McInnis; brother, Dr. C. W. Jiles and infant brothers, Bruce Reagan and Marvin.
Mr. Jiles is survived by his daughter, Sarah Randolph (Ed) of Plano, TX; sons, Steve Jiles (Dallas) of Lake Charles and Stan Jiles (Jana) of Spearsville; sisters, Mary Ellen Graves Ray (Ronnie) of West Monroe, Doris Smith (Gaylan) of Bothell, WA; brother, Morgan Jiles of Sevierville, TN; six grandchildren, Rachel Smith (Thomas), Rebecca Hays (Beaux), Conley Jiles, Michele Miller, Robin Huff (Josh), and Ryan Jiles; four great-grandchildren; many other cherished family and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff and employees of the NELA Veterans Home and the nurses from Heart of Hospice for their care of Mr. Jiles.