Oklahomans Mourn The Loss Of Jim Giles

Thursday, December 21st 2006, 4:56 am

By: News On 6

Longtime News on 6 meteorologist and colleague Jim Giles has passed away. Jim had been hospitalized last week, battling a series of health problems and struggling to regain strength. Despite a valiant fight and a determined effort by his doctors, he died shortly before 10:00 PM Wednesday.

Jim conquered a public bout with congestive heart failure two years ago. He also conquered cancer in the early 70's. But this latest battle was too much for him to overcome.

Jim began his distinguished career in the early 60's, serving with the Air Force in Vietnam as a weather commander at Na Trang weather station.

When he came home, Jim served in the prestigious Severe Storm Forecast Center in Kansas City. In the late 70's, while teaching meteorology at the University of Texas, Jim made the move to television in Austin and later in Dallas. He had an opportunity to continue that career in Dallas, but fortunately for us, he chose to come to KOTV in Tulsa in 1981 as Chief Meteorologist, forecasting for both radio and TV, introducing viewers to live Doppler 6 radar in 1988.

Jim was instrumental in refining that technology. And In 1991, Doppler 6 Pathfinder was key to the precision forecasts that tracked a deadly tornado north and west of Tulsa.

In 1993, devastating tornadoes swept across northeastern Oklahoma again, near Catoosa. Jim was able to pinpoint those storms as well, saving countless lives.

Over the years, Jim devoted time on and off the air to a community project that became one of his signatures, Giles Coats for Kids. He was involved in that right up until he became ill most recently.

When asked recently how he'd like to be remembered he said in his usual, understated way "just for doing a good job". He did a great job. We'll all miss him, greatly.

Memorial Service

If you would like to pay your respects to Jim's family, there will be a public memorial service on Tuesday, December 26th, at 2 p.m. at the Rhema Bible Church Auditorium, 1025 W Kenosha, in Broken Arrow (71st Street between 145th E. Avenue and 161st E. Avenue).

Donations

In lieu of flowers the Gilesâ€™ family has asked that donations be made in Jimâ€™s memory to one of three places:

American Heart Association in Tulsa, call toll-free 1-800-242-8721 or www.americanheart.org, the website will have instruction on â€œMemorial Givingâ€

American Cancer Society in Tulsa, call toll free 1-888-376-1725 or www.cancer.org
Or mail to:
4110 S. 100 E. Ave., Suite 101
Tulsa, OK 74147

Donations to the Cancer Society should be earmarked for â€œResearchâ€ per the Gilesâ€™ family wishes.