Obituary for John Niles

John Wayne Niles

January 10, 1943 – November 19, 2024

John Wayne Niles, 81, was born to William E. and Lois M. Niles on January 10, 1943 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. His family relocated to Guthrie when he was in fourth grade, and he always remembered his first day of school there because his mother backed over his dog and killed him, but she made him go to school anyway. John attended Fogarty Junior High where he met the love of his life. He asked her to go steady March 27th, 1958, and they have been together ever since. He graduated from Guthrie High School in 1961. While there, he spent three years in the ROTC program and was quarterback of the football team, playing linebacker and safety. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington (formerly Arlington State College) for their ROTC program.

John married Karen Jestes in 1963 and joined the Army National Guard shortly afterward. He was a Calvary Scout enlisted and then went to the NCO Academy to get his commission where his class started with over 800 students and graduated 202. He was the Honor Graduate, graduating #1 in the class.

John became an Army Cavalry Scout with the 45th Infantry division and later commanded that unit. He was commissioned into the Armor branch, and during his first assignment on active duty he also served with the 82nd airborne division where he attended jump school and was a paratrooper.

John served 12 years with the National Guard, and four of those were on active duty where he served in Vietnam in the 4th infantry division. There he commanded an aviation platoon and a top-secret aviation detachment. He and his unit were transferred to the 101st Airborne Division while still in country. Upon returning from Vietnam, John attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he studied fixed-wing and got his commercial fixed-wing license and later obtained his multi-engine license after going to work for Ditch Witch in Perry.

For a time, John was stationed at Fort Hood in the 1st Infantry Division Calvery Unit until going back home to the 45th Infantry Brigade where he worked full time for the unit writing training schedules and exercises for S-2 Intelligence officers and S-3 training Officers. In 1978, John went to work at Ditch Witch as a District Representative of Sales and as a company pilot. He retired in 2002.

John accumulated over 470 hours of combat flying and was decorated with 2 Bronze Stars, 14 Air Medals, and an Army Commendation medal among many others. He passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at his home in Perry surrounded by family. In his lifetime, John did a lot of things, but in the end, he wanted people to know that all the awards and decorations don’t mean anything. The only thing that matters is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

Survivors include: his wife, Karen Niles of the home, daughter Jeannene Martin and husband Richard of Fairview, Texas; daughter Stacy Barnes and husband Larry of Celina, Texas; daughter Kristen Lettow and husband Greg of Leawood Kansas; brother Hoppy Niles of Warr Acres, Oklahoma; brother and sister-in-law Lynn and Sharon Jestes of Richardson, Texas; sister-in-law Sue Niles of Carrollton, Texas; grandchildren; Tori, Ty, Trevor, Melissa, Trenton, Garrett, Connor, Matthew, Paige, and Joshua; 9 great-grandchildren; and a numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 1 PM at the First Baptist Church in Perry with Pastor Kim Hays officiating. John will be laid to rest at Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, Oklahoma following the service. A viewing will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024 from 12 PM to 5 PM at Trout Funeral Home of Perry. A visitation will also be held right before the funeral service with family at the First Baptist Church from 12:30 PM to 12:50 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077. We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of John at www.troutperry.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made payable to First Baptist Church Youth Group, 601 N. 7th, Perry, OK 73077 or a local animal shelter.

Source: Trout Funeral Home