Our dad, George Niles, age 84, passed away in a tragic accident on the evening of June 20, 2022. We are all very saddened and hope to share a bit about our dad.

George was born in 1937 in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. He grew up on a small dairy farm and attended school at Charleston Elementary / High School were he played basketball and wrestled. He worked at his Uncle Leon’s lumber mill, LG Niles Lumber Mill, during high school and on the farm in the summer. When he graduated from high school, he wanted to attend bible college and become a pastor. He attended Practical Bible Training School in Johnson City, NY. His second year of college dad had to sell his beautiful ’55 Chevy to pay for school tuition. He always wished he still had that ’55 Chevy. He loved that car! He wasn’t just a student, he also enlisted in the National Guard. During his time at college, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to quit college for a bit for emergency surgery. During his recovery he attend church at Fatih Baptist where he met his wife, Wanda. They married in 1963 and had four children: Mary, Mark, Carol, and Daniel.

After bible college, George became the pastor of two small churches; first in Antrim, Penn. and later in Stonyfork, Penn. He didn’t make a lot of money at the churches, so he also drove semi-trucks hauling coal from the coal mines, and both he and Wanda drove school bus. One winter with wind chill factor of -40 degrees, he told his fellow workers, “This will be my last winter here boys!”, (As he would tell the story….); his co-workers would say, “Oh George you won’t leave, you like the BIG money.” ($3.75/hour back then, if we remember correctly). George and Wanda has friends in Benson, Ariz. that summer he packed us up and headed for Benson.

We lived in Benson for four years where George worked for the local electric company. He always worked hard and provided for his family. George and Wanda divorced after 18 years of marriage. When Wanda remarried, she, her husband, and kids moved to Eureka. George relocated to Tucson, Arizona where he met his second wife, Marie. Marie and George loved the desert, crazy heat at all! He drove cement truck, hauled hazardous waste, iron ore, and even tried long hauling mail. Marie unfortunately passed away years later from multiple strokes. After being alone in Tucson for awhile, he decided to move closer to his kids and grandkids. He loved spending time with family.

George was always so proud of his kids and introduced them to everyone. He’d say, “Hey this is ….” and proceed to introduce whichever child was with him to his friends. He talked about family all the time. A family friend, Jan, that we introduced to him ended up being his third wife. They lived in Cutten and had horses, which was also a passion of George’s. After a few years, they divorced, and George moved to Fortuna to Royal Crest Mobile Home Park, but he continued to help her as she failed in her health, eventually passing away. Dad lived many years at Royal Crest, meeting many friends, like Paul. Paul, THANK YOU for watching out for him and sharing so many yummy meals. Dad always loved your cooking!

George recently moved to an apartment at Mountain View, Lutheran Home of the Aging in Fortuna, where he currently lived. He loved his little apartment and made friends with many of his lovely neighbors. Thank you, Ida, for looking out for dad and keeping us “informed”. You truly cared about his safety, and his family appreciates that. Thank you Stacey and Mike for being so good to him.

Dad was a pastor for the Wiyot Tribe in Loleta for a few years prior to Covid. He enjoyed going and seeing the children who always looked for the cookies dad would bring them. He would always tell us how cute they all were with a huge smile on his face. He loved and respected the Native American people so much. If he saw someone with long dark hair, Dad would always say, “I think their hair is so pretty!” He consistently gave donations to organizations helping the Native American tribes throughout the country.

He also supported his long time best friend, Cal Sears, who was a missionary in Mexico. He told stories of Cal and his family a 100 times if not more. He cherished Cal’s friendship so much. Cal passed away a few months before dad. We’re sure they’re together in Heaven telling stories of the good ole days.

His love for God, and his family was so prevalent. His apartment was filled with photos of his kids and grandkids, and his Bible was always open on the table. Sermon notes were always being studied and sides notes can be found all throughout his Bible. He was a good example of God’s love to his children and others. He accepted people for who they were and would do his best to help anyone who had a need.

One of George’s proudest accomplishments was being the second highest blood / platelet donor in Humboldt County, 42 gallons! He had a standing appointment every two weeks to give blood, and he was faithful. He loved chatting with the ladies at the Blood Mobile and The Blood Bank. Dad had to give up donating blood due to a medication he was taking. He asked all the time, ‘When can I stop taking this medicine so I can start giving platelets again?” Every time we were in Eureka, he’d say, “Do we have time to stop at the Blood Bank and say hello? It’ll just take me a second.” He’d come out with a cookie or piece of candy and a cup of coffee. Thank you to everyone who was so kind to him when he visited. Michelle and Dee (along with others we don’t know), you meant a lot to him. We hope to carry on his legacy by donating in his honor.

Dad was our biggest fan! Dad always supported our sports, and attended every game he could. He’d always ask, “When’s the next game!” He loved watching his kids and grandkids, whether it be basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, football, wrestling, or cross country. One of George’s staple comments after a game, holiday get together, or special event was, “Well I think everyone had a good time!”

Dad was always so positive and happy. He loved genuinely and unconditionally. Dad will be missed here on the streets of Fortuna. Many people have grown to love dad’s gentle smile, and his friendly wave. And a few people even got the pleasure to know him by hearing his “stories”. Dad could tell stories “loudly” from a long time ago and he told them hundreds of times as if he’d not told them before. We’re going to miss them. It’s a shame we didn’t think to record more of them.

Dad was a walking legend around Fortuna. He knew no strangers. His daily morning walk was to Burger King for “pancakes, sausage & coffee with 1 ice cube, and a splash of milk”, then back for lunch for his favorite, a “cheeseburger no onions, and a diet pop”. He LOVED his cheeseburgers! George was loved and watched over by the staff. Anna and Crystal you are angels! Anna and Crystal were like daughters to him. They tried to keep him from being taken advantage of by people on the street, who were always asking for money. George has a heart for people less fortunate and he daily bought multiple meals for them. They would always call us if they were worried about him. Thank you to the whole crew at Burger King.

His walks were slowing down in speed but he was consistent. Driving down the boulevard won’t be the same without George. The town came to love him, as we have learned from all the sweet stories we’ve been told.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents Jerome & Myrtie Niles, brother Lewis Niles, sister Phyllis Hazelton (Jim), second wife Marie Niles of Tucson, third wife Jan Niles of Eureka.

He is survived by his sister Francis Dewey, his sister-in-law Joann Niles, first wife Wanda Hoffman (LeRoy), his four children and their families: Mary Stewart (Chip), Mark Niles (Cheryl), Carol Wood (Hec),and Danny Niles (Teresa).

George adored his grandchildren : Kendall, Jacob, Ashley (John), Amber (Christian), Brittany (Micheal), Kara (Tyler), Topanga, Brooklyn, Eli, and Readan, and great grandkids Trenton, Analiese, Brielle and Rowan.

Thank You to the Fortuna Fire, City Ambulance, and the Fortuna Police Department, for being at his aid so fast and Redwood Memorial Hospital for trying your best to help our dad. Your jobs are not easy, and we appreciate the line of work you’ve chosen to help others.

In lieu of flowers , our family has found two ways to give back in his honor. Giving the GIFT OF LIFE through donating blood (which was one of dads proudest accomplishments) or monetarily to the Northcoast Community Blood Bank in Eureka or the charity of your choice. The Blood Mobile will be holding a blood drive at Rays Food Place, September 1, 2022, walks in only. All donations are in honor of George. In order to track donations, mention his name or use the code, GEON. if you prefer a set appointment, they can be made at the Blood Bank in Eureka. Thank you SO much from the bottom of our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held at Hydesville Community church on September 3, 2022 at 2 p.m. with refreshments to follow. We ask that if you have a story about our dad, please write it down, and we’ll collect them at the celebration of life. We look forward to sharing your story to the generations to come about how Dad touched your life.

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The obituary above was submitted by George Niles’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.