Donald G. Iles, 79, passed away on January 19, 2022. A Celebration of Life is being planned for April 30th from 3-7 pm at J-R’s Social Club, 5995 Hwy 67/84 Brownwood, TX 76801.
Don was born in Lawrence, Kansas and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in the early 1950s. He graduated from high school in Arizona and enlisted in the United States Air Force; he was a fuel service specialist at Davis Monthan Air Force base in Tucson and served in Anchorage as well. He served on the Phoenix Police force and most enjoyed his work there in the narcotics division. He moved to Payson, Arizona in 1972 and served on the Payson Police force. He lived in Prescott, Arizona, Chino Valley, Arizona and finally came home to roost in Bangs, Texas.
Mostly, what Don did was…everything. From real estate to a motorcycle shop, auction junkie to hod carrier, the list of everything Don knew how to do and had experience at is too long to tell. He knew how to throw a party, make a deal, find a solution, McGyver almost anything and make one heck of a good wine. He loved flying and had his pilot’s license for many years. He loved the art of the haggle and he knew how to pull your leg in a completely believable way,
He never stopped learning, getting his Associate’s degree at night school while working full time plus raising a family and taking every opportunity for a new experience. He never stopped teaching, from Criminal Justice at the community college in Arizona, to teaching Jaxson and Maddox how to clean a fish at Lake Granbury, Texas. He was a fine dancer, a chili cookoff winner, a gardener, a poet, bilingual, a scuba diver: a man of many talents. He loved to fish and camp. He loved restoring classic cars and was a member of the Heartland Cruisers. He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many adventures from caribou hunting in Alaska to visiting friends in the Czech Republic. Most of all, he loved sharing the adventures and the quiet moments with Pam Stockman, whom he lovingly referred to as his paramour. He loved getting to know Pam’s children and grandchildren and being a part of their lives as well. He had a lot of fun and joking with Jack and Darcy Stockman, their children Jaxson and Maddox Stockman, and Dana and Tim Davis with their son Cason.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton A. Iles and Louise Walker Iles.
Don is survived by his two sisters, Delores Long of Glendale, AZ and Janet Yeager of Star Valley, AZ, his three children, Linda Amershek of Middleville, MI, Gary (Patricia) Iles of Trout Creek, MT and Diana Morris of Raytown, MO. He is survived by his grandchildren Donald C. Iles, Jason R. Amershek, Dustin W. Iles, Dana L. Amershek and his great-grandchildren, Matthew R. Amershek, Natalie A. Amershek and Clinton I. Iles. He is also survived by his companion and best friend of more than a decade, his paramour, Pamela Stockman.
Online condolences, tributes and memorials can be shared with family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
