Gordon Wyatt Wiles

1929 - 2014

June 20, 1929 - April 27, 2014 Gordon Wyatt Wiles, television and motion picture director, passed away at the age of 84 on April 27, 2014 in Irvine, California. He was surrounded by his family. Gordon was born in Pontiac, Michigan on June 20, 1929, to Ivan L. Wiles and Mary Louise Wiles. Gordon grew up in Flint, Michigan, but spent the summers on Walloon Lake, Michigan, which he continued to visit his entire life. Gordon attended Howe Military Academy in Indiana from 1941 to 1948. While attending Howe, he was president of the National Thespian Society, president of the National Forensic League and played varsity football. Gordon attended two years at Wabash College in Indiana, but left to pursue his dream and begin his career in television. Gordon began with NBC in 1950 in New York. Gordon's NBC career was briefly interrupted when he was called to serve in the United States Army in January, 1951 to December, 1952. While serving, and at only 22 years old, Gordon operated an Armed Forces Radio Network inside North Korea. The radio station's location was kept a secret, but was located just north of the historic 48 Parallel. Gordon was honorably discharged in 1952 and returned to NBC in New York. In 1954, while working on the NBC television show "Home", he met his first love, Eve Hunter, who was one of the stars of the show. They married July 3, 1954 and their daughter, Wendy was born soon thereafter. Gordon worked for NBC until 1960 when he became a free-lance director in Hollywood. After moving to Hollywood, his son, Gordon II, was born. Gordon directed commercials and many television shows. Perhaps the best known was "Laugh In". Gordon was nominated for two Emmys for outstanding directorial achievement. Gordon also directed the movie "Ginger in the Morning". In 2002, his wife Eve of 48 years passed away. Gordon later met and married his second love, Dr. Joyce Morton. Joyce and Gordon were married until Joyce passed away in June, 2012. Gordon was an avid snow skier and skied well into his 70s. He also enjoyed boating and built a sail boat with his wife, Eve, which they sailed in the Ensanada Races. Gordon is survived by his two children, Wendy Wiles Verdon (and her husband, Jeffrey Michael Verdon) and Gordon Wyatt Wiles II; two grandchildren, Ashley Hunter Verdon and Adam Joseph Verdon; his sister, Linky Krimendahl and his nieces, Elizabeth and Mary Krimendahl, and his nephew, Chris Krimendahl and three great-nephews. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 15th at Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, California 92625. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Howe Military Academy or the American Diabetes Association.