Danny Giles

Danny Lee Giles, surrounded by his family, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023. He lived his 76 years on what he called a “ten ticket ride” and loved the experiences he had and the people he met along the way.

Dan was born to John L Giles and Betty Lou Waylett on December 8, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent his growing up years in Kearns, graduating from Granger High School prior to serving as a United States Marine in the Vietnam War.

Upon returning from overseas he attended the BYU Salt Lake City campus and loved studying geology. He worked as a cab driver and met his lifelong love, Margaret Ann West, directly because of his job. After starting Canyon Transportation with his brother and best friend Larry, Dan opted for a more stable income and spent the remainder of his career as a letter carrier in Riverton, Salt Lake City and Murray, Utah. After two short stints as a postmaster in Randolph, Utah and Eureka, Nevada, Dan finished his career delivering mail to his neighbors in Murray where he enjoyed interacting and catching up with friends every day as he walked his route.

Dan was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and loved spending time at his mountainside retreat outside of Salina, Utah. His relationships with people in town and in the mountains added flavor and value to his life.

Beyond all of that, though, Dan was passionate about his family. He cherished his wife, Margaret, and looked forward to finding the right gifts to express his love for her on every birthday and Christmas. He embraced the challenge of blending his family (including his daughter Dana) with Margaret’s (and her four children: Wendy, Gary, Tina and Scott). They welcomed Cody to round out the family shortly after their marriage.

Dan loved and cared deeply for all of them and their children and was overjoyed at their successes, be they academic, athletic or (and maybe most especially) hunt related.

The bounds of his affection were beyond compare for his 23 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He gave them all nicknames that were unique and helped each to feel seen, loved and appreciated.
His dedication to us ran deeply and we are all at a loss without having access to it.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, John L Giles, his sister Sheri (Huebner), and brother, Scott Giles.

He is survived by his mother, Betty Lou, his wife, Margaret, his children Wendy Smith, Gary (Tonya) Hamblin, Tina (Brett) Turner, Dana Kluge, Scott (Kenndi) Hamblin, and Cody (Monica) Giles, his brothers John and Larry Giles and sister Kathy (Don) Broadhead.

A casual dress viewing will be held at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray on January 13 from 6-8 PM. The funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday, January 14, beginning at 11 AM, with a brief viewing between 10 and 10:45 AM. Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery, immediately following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, Dan would appreciate it if you’d share a moment--laugh or tell a story with a loved one—create a memory that will last a lifetime and into the eternities.