August 15th, 1930 - November 29th, 2019
It is with a loving heart that we announce the passing of Donald Richard Stiles (August 15, 1930 – November 29, 2019) in Lodi CA.
Don was a fun-loving, adventurer who embraced challenges, lived life to the fullest, and loved to laugh. A consummate patriot and veteran who believed in his country and God!
He had oh so many accomplishments from Army Air Corps combat glider pilot, creator of multiple inventions, developer and owner of Byron Airpark, construction consultant, lumber yard owner, top produce market sales, to his first ice cream business as a child.
Don entertained the EMTs with his humor, compliments and overall goodwill as they chauffeured him to the hospital. They could not believe he was either ill or 89 years old.
The way he died is just like he lived: he wrote his own rules, had undaunted courage, he resisted authority, he paved his own way and lived life on his terms.
Don was a rare combination of brilliance and humility, a Salt of the Earth visionary, nothing deterred him from his dreams, resourceful he found a way to make it happen.
With unpretentious enthusiasm he led projects that paralyze most people: flying rescue missions into S. America or completing the school gym without the necessary materials.
He gave his all to every endeavor, never saw the difference between showing up to work, enjoying a meal or developing an airport.
Don lived a millennium in the 89 calendar years we had with him because he attacked life; he grabbed it by the tail and twirled it back on the dance floor.
He was blessed with two “loves of his life” marriages that lasted over three decades each: his beloved high school sweetheart, Nellie Marie (May) Stiles, wife and mother of his children who preceded him in death.
His adored Debra Ann (Rodacker) Stiles, was as he called her, his “Darling”, she is his wife and partner in all their escapades.
Don was immensely proud of his six children. When speaking at a business function, he chose to talk about his childrens professional accomplishments, much embellished as was his style. He glowed as he spoke of his son the then budding engineer. He passionately talked at length about each of his daughters careers. It was not lost on listeners that he raised his daughters to excel as equals in business and the world.
Don loved his sons-in-law and daughter-in-law. They are grateful for his mentoring, his jokes and in turn, they encouraged storytelling of his colorful exploits. His stories were monumental leaving us wondering how and if they were true. We look forward to reading The Book and hear the stories he had and hadn’t yet told us.
Donald Stiles, you will be missed!
He was born August 15, 1930, second child of the late Grant and Elizabeth (Blum) Stiles from Wheeling, West Virginia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Marie (May) Stiles; daughter, Robin Elaine May (Stiles) Aloitti and her husband, Peter Aloitti and their daughter his great-granddaughter, Jeanine Aliotti; Don’s sister, Martha (Stiles) Protzman; and his brother Robert Lee Stiles.
Don is survived by his wife, Debra (Rodacker) Stiles, his unofficially adopted daughter, Carla (Baker) Marymee, and his five adored children: Linda (Stiles) Shook, Dawn Stiles, Lori (Stiles) Palomino, Jill (Stiles) Dunnam, Jeff Stiles and their spouses: Charles Shook, Michael Ganim, Leonard Jay Palomino, William Dunnam and Michele Zuiderweg; and his two siblings and their spouses: Thomas and Shirley Stiles and Joann and Robert Hess.
Don has eleven treasured grandchildren: Kambry (Shook) Humphries, Justin Shook, Dominick Stiles, Adam Shook, Krista (Palomino) Schmidt, Jessica (Stiles-Ganim) Judson, Natalie Palomino, Ashley Aliotti, Sara (Aliotti) Bellafronte, Willie Dunnam and Alex Dunnam; and their spouses: Daniel Humphries, Katie Shook, Jenny Stiles, Rob Schmidt, Loren Judson, and Vincent Bellafronte.
There are eight cherished great-grandchildren: Jessi Humphries, Cameron Chase, Sophie Schmidt, Ally Judson, Luxe Shook, Avery Judson, Mason Stiles and Chiara Bellafronte.
We, his family, also want to recognize Meehleis Modular Buildings for loving our Dad and giving him a venue for his energy and creativity. We know you meant the world to him.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html) or (Donate by Phone: (800) 478-5833)
Services:
Due to his very rational fear that his family would throw him a huge ceremony-laden “drawn out affair”, his family will honor his wishes and hold a simple service on Sunday, December 15, 2019, from 10 am to 11 am at Vineyard Chapel in Cherokee Memorial Park at 14165 N. Beckman Road, Lodi, CA 95240. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Per his wishes, there is no graveside service or funeral home visitation.
His resting place is Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch, CA. The family is gathering at Holy Cross Cemetery at 10am December 16, 2019 to greet his arrival. You are welcome to join us.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Stiles family.
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