SPRINGDALE — Mark Joel Giles,
died on September 18, 2021, at his home in Springdale, Arkansas. Mark was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1999 and had a bone marrow transplant in 2000 at The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He struggled for nearly two decades to survive complications, but remained cancer free. Mark was born in Bexar County, Texas, on July, 25, 1955, to Audrey and the late Joe B. Giles. During his father’s military career, Mark lived in Texas, Okinawa, and Arkansas. He remembered his time living in Okinawa from 1960 to 1965 fondly, and his love of Japanese culture had a profound effect on his life. Mark earned his degree in nursing in 1980, and worked as a Registered Nurse in ICU for nearly 20 years.
He was loved and respected by his patients, his colleagues, and the physicians he encountered every day. Mark had an indomitable spirit. He was strongly opinionated and very kind. He remembered almost everything he read and craved knowledge on many subjects. Mark’s friends knew he would make them laugh, teach them something new, or engage them in a friendly debate.
He was a collector, especially enjoying his extensive collection of scale model sports cars. Mark loved to cook, and was fearless when trying new recipes and cuisines. He took cooking classes to learn to cook Chinese food and often made sushi. His homemade tomato soup was legendary. For a period of time, Mark devoted himself to the making of fresh pasta. He treasured kitchen gadgets; his frydaddy, rice cooker, toaster oven, and varying sizes and types of ice cream scoops. Mark enjoyed all things Japanese; Japanese literature, movies, and kimonos. He liked variety, flavor and style. He loved visual and performing arts. Most of all, he loved his family.
Mark was predeceased by his father, Joe B. Giles. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Audrey Giles of Belton, Texas; his wife, Virginia Giles of the home; children, Max Giles (Christy) of Atlanta, Georgia; Ian Giles (Mary Goff) of Springdale; Lee McBride (Davy) of Dover, Arkansas; brothers, Joe C. Giles (Brenda), Fred Giles (Teresa), John Giles (Elizabeth) and sister, Laura McLaughlin (Paul); grandchildren, Wyatt, Luke, Leif, Ava, and Reaghan; nieces and nephews, Kristopher, Will, Kevin, Jennifer, Joe D., James, Phillip, Meredith, Jenna, Robin, Amy, Jonathan, Stephen, Michael, and Mike; and a host of friends who will remember him with great love. We will be telling “Mark stories” for the rest of our lives.
The family would like to thank Washington Regional Hospice, Scott and White Medical Center, and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Grace Fellowship Church, 1007 North Nashville Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas, 72801. Pastor Mark Lykins will officiate. Masks are required to attend the memorial. Be prepared to hear and share “Mark stories.” Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas, 72762. The family requests that donations in Mark’s memory be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Family Financial Assistance Program. Online condolences may be made to: www. memorialfhspringdale.com