Mark Joel Giles, died on September 18, 2021 at his home

in Springdale, Arkansas . Mark was diagnosed with

Leukemia in 1999 and had a bone marrow transplant in

2000 at The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He struggled

for nearly two decades to survive complications, but

remained cancer free.

Mark was born in Bexar County Texas on July, 25, 1955 to

Audrey and the late Joe B. Giles. During his father's

military career, Mark lived in Texas, Okinawa, and

Arkansas. He remembered his time living in Okinawa

from 1960 to 1965 fondly, and his love of Japanese culture

had a profound effect on his life.

Mark earned his degree in nursing in 1980, and worked as

a Registered Nurse in ICU for nearly 20 years. He was

loved and respected by his patients, his colleagues, and

the physicians he encountered every day.

Mark had an indomitable spirit. He was strongly

opinionated and very kind. He remembered almost

everything he read and craved knowledge on many

subjects. Mark's friends knew he would make them laugh,

teach them something new, or engage them in a friendly

debate. He was a collector, especially enjoying his

extensive collection of scale model sports cars. Mark

loved to cook, and was fearless when trying new recipes

and cuisines. He took cooking classes to learn to cook

Chinese food and often made sushi. His homemade

tomato soup was legendary. For a period of time, Mark

devoted himself to the making of fresh pasta. He

treasured kitchen gadgets; his frydaddy, rice cooker,

toaster oven, and varying sizes and types of ice cream

scoops. Mark enjoyed all things Japanese; Japanese literature,

movies, and kimonos. He liked variety, flavor and style.

He loved visual and performing arts. Most of all, he loved

his family. Mark was predeceased by his father, Joe B. Giles.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Audrey Giles of

Belton, Texas; his wife, Virginia Giles of the home;

children Max Giles (Christy) of Atlanta, Georgia; Ian Giles

(Mary Goff) of Springdale; Lee McBride (Davy) of Dover,

Arkansas; brothers Joe C. Giles (Brenda), Fred Giles

(Teresa), John Giles (Elizabeth) and sister Laura

McLaughlin (Paul); grandchildren Wyatt, Luke, Leif, Ava,

and Reaghan; nieces and nephews Kristopher, Will,

Kevin, Jennifer, Joe D., James, Phillip, Meredith, Jenna,

Robin, Amy, Jonathan, Stephen, Michael, and Mike; and a

host of friends who will remember him with great love. We

will be telling "Mark stories" for the rest of our lives.

The family would like to thank Washington Regional

Hospice, Scott and White Medical Center, and Seattle

Cancer Care Alliance.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 02, 2021 at Grace Fellowship

Church, 1007 North Nashville Avenue, Russellville,

Arkansas, 72801. Pastor Mark Lykins will officiate. Masks

are required to attend the memorial. Be prepared to hear

and share "Mark stories." Cremation arrangements were entrusted to

Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas 72762

The family requests that donations in Mark's memory be

made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Family Financial

Assistance Program.

Online condolences may be made to www.memorialfhspringdale.com