Dr. Jon Whitney Wiles

Dr. Jon Wiles passed away September 9, 2022, at his much-loved home of 56 years in Crescent Beach, FL. He was born September 22, 1944, to Kimball and Hilda Wiles and grew up in Gainesville, FL. He is survived by his beloved wife, Michele; his children, Aimee Wiles Banion and Michael Wiles and their mother Margaret; his stepchildren Cochran Keating (Beth) and Amy Gibbs (Holland); his sisters, Wendy Wiles-Velez and Kim Wiles-Bond (Stan); his grandchildren, Santiago, Hobie, Casey, Paige, Max, and Ava; his nephews and niece and his precious dog, Magnolia Mae (Maggie). He attended Miami of Ohio University, Florida State University and the University of Florida, earning BS, MEd, and EdD degrees. He served in the Vietnam War as a Naval officer on the U.S.S. Topeka (CLG8) and with the Civil Engineers Officers' School in California. Jon's career in education spanned over 4 decades, working as a professor, chair and dean at Peabody Vanderbilt, the University of Texas, the University of Montana, USF and UNF. During that time, he also wrote 18 textbooks on curriculum development and education leadership – 50 total editions – used by thousands of professors and tens of thousands of educators throughout the world, and, more importantly, impacting the lives of countless children through equitable and meaningful education. His curriculum text, first published in 1972, is still in print (9 editions).
Jon is recognized as preeminent in the field of curriculum design. His educational consulting led to serving educational institutions in 47 states and 14 countries. He was especially proud of his work in South Africa at the end of Apartheid when invited by the Mandela government to assist in the design and implementation of an integrated school system, and in Vietnam where his book was adopted as the national curriculum text and led to his work with education professors throughout the country.
Jon's love and spirit will forever be with us. Flowers are gratefully declined. If you would like to honor Jon, please consider a donation in his memory to tag! Children's Museum, P.O. Box 3183, St. Augustine, FL 32085 or the Salvation Army. Private services will be scheduled by his family.