Richard Giles

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Loren Richard Giles was born August 3, 1938, in Webb City, MO. He graduated from Webb City High School in 1956 and then served 11 years in the National Guard Reserves, promoted to Sergeant 1st Class. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Physical Education in 1963 and Masters of Science Education from Pittsburg State University in 1972.

On August 24, 1963, he married the love of his life, Joyce Johnson, at Neosho Christian Church. In 1974, they welcomed their daughter Emily and, two years later their son, John. “Mr. Giles” or “Coach Giles” worked for the Diamond School District in many roles for 33 years, 17 of those as high school principal. “Retiring” in 1997, he worked as a guidance counselor at College Heights Christian School for 8 years and substituted at Diamond until 2016.

Richard served as Mayor for the City of Diamond for two terms and was a deacon and elder at Diamond Christian Church. Richard was a loyal volunteer and supporter of Ronald McDonald House. He delivered Meals on Wheels, sang in the choir, gardened, played softball & golf, and mowed yards with John; teaching him from a young age to do things right because “doing a job well might be all someone knows about you and your Lord!”. He was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.

Richard valued family deeply. He had to wait till he was 75 to be “Grandpa,” but for his last 12 years his granddaughters, Suzie and Annie, were his greatest delight.

After a long struggle with Parkinson's and dementia he passed on to Glory on September 8, 2025. He is preceded in death by daughter Emily, wife Joyce, parents Loren and Bessie Giles, maternal grandparents Juanita & John Edgmond and paternal grandparents Aleta (Leeta) & Elmer Giles, sister and brother-in-law Linda & Don Mosby, an infant brother, and many family & friends.

He leaves behind loyal and faithful son & caretaker, John, and family Dalenna, Suzanne, and Annalise Giles of Diamond, MO, sister Nancy Angel of Neosho, MO, sister in-law Sherry and John Kitchens of Vero Beach, FL and nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19 at Diamond Christian Church 205 E. Market St. Diamond, MO from 4-6 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at Diamond Christian Church in Diamond, MO at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family for end-of-life expenses or in his name to God’s Resort Joplin or Ronald McDonald House. He will be buried at Diamond Cemetery in Diamond, MO.

Arrangements are made with Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri.