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James M. Pyles

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Carrollton High School Ohio State University

James Pyles Obituary

James M. Pyles
James M. (Pitza) Pyles, 55, passed away Friday, June 20, after a courageous battle with cancer, with his loving wife, family, and closest friends by his side. Born Feb. 11, 1953, in Canton, OH, he was the son of the late George E. and Violet A. (Kuklis) Pyles. He was preceded in death by his brother, J. Ronald Pyles of Malvern. He is survived by Gail (Gentry) Pyles, his caring and loving wife with whom he celebrated his 5th wedding anniversary June 19; two sons, Justin and Corey Gentry; daughter, Taylor Gentry, all of Dover; in-laws, Jim and Jean Moran of Strasburg; two sisters, Carol M. (Walton) Finlayson of Vienna, WV, and Sandra E. Garrett of Navarre, OH; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Debbie Moran of Akron; several cherished nieces and nephews; and a host of beloved friends. He was a 1971 graduate of Carrollton High School where he taught junior high for 32 years, was Assistant Athletic Director and coached many teams, having graduated from "THE" Ohio State University in 1976. At OSU he was manager for the football team five years, four of which he attended consecutive Rose Bowls. Three of those years he carried the Woody Hayes' phones. He had two passions, love for music and sports, especially the Buckeyes, Indians and Warriors. He also loved fishing, swimming, bowling and taking family vacations. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church here, the Carrollton Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, and OSU Alumni Association. Services will be at the Sweeney-Dodds Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 24 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Carl Orphanides. Friends may call Monday at Sweeney-Dodds between the hours of 3-8 p.m. Burial will be in Westview Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Carrollton Athletic Booster Fund in care of the Jim Pyles Scholarship, to be awarded yearly or Hospice of Carroll County. Personal tributes welcome: [email protected].
(Sweeney-Dodds, 330-627-5505)
A Golden Rule Funeral Home
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Published by The Repository or The Independent on Jun. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for James Pyles

26 Entries

Carole (Walton) Finlayson

July 5, 2008

"I Will Love You Till, My Last Breath"
My Dear Brother~~"Fly High"
Gail, You Were The Real Love Of His Life & a great Sis in Law., Jim Loved The Children..
Love You Always
Sis Carole

Joy (Locke) Warner

June 29, 2008

Mr. Pyles was my favorite teacher EVER... hands down!! I had him for fourth grade at Carrollton and I have so many fond memories of that year. He had such a positive impact on my life and so many others, as well. I fondly remember discussing the Indians, Browns and Buckeyes as he knew my dad was as big a fan as he was. And I will never forget him listening to Hall and Oates non-stop. He got me to love that band back in the 80's. He made that year so much fun. I am honored to have known him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, family and loved ones. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.

Kathy Garrett-Meek

June 26, 2008

Gail, Sandy, Carol and Families,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

carol slates

June 25, 2008

Jim's passing is a loss for everyone, including the people he had yet to touch. I worked with him from 1977 until my retirement last year. He was truly a good person who touched the lives of everyone he met. His smile will always live on. Everyone who had met him is better for it. I am so sorry for your loss.

Michele (Glasure) Kegley

June 25, 2008

I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Pyles. He was my 8th grade teacher back in the Kilgore days!! He gave us all nicknames. At recess we would stay inside and play Journey and Fleetwood Mac records. We would sing and dance (we could never get him to dance) and he would sit at his desk and sing along. I ran into him several years ago at the fair and he called me by the nickname he gave me. He remembered after all those years of having me as a student. Not only was he our teacher, he was our friend. May the memories help soothe the hearts of his family and all who were blessed to have known him.

Barb

June 24, 2008

Gail, Im so sorry for your loss. Jim was an awesome man that always made me feel welcomed. He loved you so very much & his new family. He will be missed so very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.(Babydoll656)

Miranda Hess (student)

June 24, 2008

Mrs.Pyles,
I am very sorry for your loss.I was one of Mr.Pyles students 2 years ago and will miss him a lot. He was one person I looked forward to seeing everyday. He will be missed by many people whose lives he touched, including mine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless!!

Pam Stoller

June 23, 2008

My condolences to the family. It was a pleasure to work with Jim during my student teaching at B.H. I will always remember that great smile! He will be missed by all.

David Best

June 23, 2008

Jimmy,
You are a great 1st cousin. I write this in the present tense because I know you are with Jesus in his Father's Heavenly Kingdom. I say this because you told my brother Eric last week that you knew Jesus. I am comforted in this. I have great memories of you kidding Uncle Ralph in Baltimore about the Cleveland Indians being better than the Orioles. Also, great times were had on July 4th family reunions. Jimmy had the ability to lift you up and make you laugh. I pray that Jimmy's family be comforted during this time. God Bless.

Bill Goodwin

June 23, 2008

Our condolensence's - Bill and Shelley Goodwin. His hospital buddy.
(Canton,Ohio)

Craig & Mary Vretas & family

June 23, 2008

Sandy, Tonya & family, Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved brother & uncle. May your whole family be comforted by the knowledge that he will live on in the hearts of those he touched through his teaching, coaching, and friendship.

Corey Harper

June 23, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I think back fondly of my memories with Pitza watching the Indians and singing Elton John. It has been twenty years ago since those days, but still brings a smile to my face.

Cindy Triplett

June 23, 2008

Pitza touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. To his many great friends and family, I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

Sandra

June 23, 2008

Jim was a great man and friend,who will be sadly missed. He was a very happy man,and truely loved his wife and new family! Gail,I am sorry for your loss. I will miss sending him all my Steelers email and him sending me Cleveland Brown emails back! The only Ohio team we agreed on was our Buckeyes! He touched my life forever! Mala

Kay Eckenrode

June 22, 2008

Gail,
We've all been thinking about you and worrying about you at work. I know that there are no words to take away your sorrow at this time but please know that we are all here for you and will do whatever we can to support you. Take care of yourself and your family.

Joyce Morckel

June 22, 2008

I know no finer friend than Pitza. His person was bigger than life, he freely gave so much to so many. I have distinct memories of Jim despite the fact that we have not lived in the same area since high school. I feel so fortunate to have had a bit of time with Gail and Jim at our last HS reunion. Gail, he was so proud of you, he couldn't wait to introduce you to me; and it was so obvious how happy he was.
Pitza was one of those people who made this world a better place with every day and every encounter. There is much we can learn from the way he lived his life.

Joyce Morckel

Charlie, Julie, Danielle, and Nick Castellucci

June 22, 2008

Gail - Our sincerest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Jim was an inspiration to so many and our family was no exception. Jim was truly blessed by you and you were certainly the love of his life......you could see it in the way that he looked at you. It was a perfect union. And, although your time together wasn't long enough, you will again find happiness when you find him waiting for you at the gates of heaven. Because we know that "all Buckeyes go to Heaven". God Bless you and your family and know that our prayers are with you all.

Ann Marino

June 22, 2008

Dear Gail and Family,
Words can never ease the pain but know that your friends are here for you. Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May God lift you from your sorrow.
Dave and Ann Marino

Diane McLaughlin/Martin

June 22, 2008

I've been thinking of Jim often lately. I've been sorting out the old black and white pictures from when we grew up. Swinging on the swings, playing red rover, kick the can, Zorro. I'll miss him muchly. Love you, Carol and Sandy.

sandy newbold

June 22, 2008

was one of a few great classmates he will be sadly missed,

Christine (Sullivan) Willison

June 22, 2008

What a wonderful person, we will miss you Mr. Pyles. It was a joy to have him as a teacher in 8th grade at Kilgore School. We loved coming to school every day, he made it fun! He talked about taking us all to a Fleetwood Mac concert, but it didn't happen! Art and Christine (Sullivan) Willison

Angie Twyman

June 22, 2008

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim and Gail in the spring of 2003 when I flew over to Ohio from England with my friend, Sandra, to attend a 'chat room' get together. As you can imagine, we were a little apprehensive travelling all that way to meet all these people, but we needn't have worried. What a great time we had and how welcome they all made us feel. Jim was no different in person than he was when we 'met' online. He was gentle, caring and extremely comical. In the years that have passed since our visit, I have had constant contact with Jim & Gail and they have always shown nothing but care, concern and genuine love for me. My heart goes out to Gail. She has lost her best friend and the man she loved very much and who loved her equally in return. I too have lost a very special person from my life, but I will always remember him with love and fondness. He truly was one of the best and will be sadly missed.
I hope Heaven hasn't got a 'pond' to cross because I am banking on seeing him again! All my love Jim, love and miss you very much.
From Angie & Sandra xxxxxxxxxx

Deborah Garaux

June 22, 2008

My sincere condolences to Jim's entire family as I fondly remember our high school years together. Jim always had a huge smile for everyone. May God Bless all of you.

Deborah Reedy

June 22, 2008

Jim you were the sweetest and kindest soul on this earth. Your students will always remember you but more importantly, your wife and kids will!! I know there are no words that can replace you but thoughts and prayers for their comfort! Deb Reedy

Donnie Haines

June 22, 2008

I am truly sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my prayers. Jim was my football coach in high school and a person I respected. I was lucky enough to keep in contact with him over the years. I have many fond memories of him and he will be missed.

Sincerely,

Rodger & Lisa Alley

June 22, 2008

Dear Uncle Jim...
Even though your not here on this earth with us , you will always be here in our thoughts, minds and hearts forever.You are a legend in our minds...Gail... we will always be here for you..we love you for being his love of his life and for that you are an angel....With all our love...Rodger-Lisa and all our Kids..Love you

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