Lt. Col. Jacob "Bud" Iles USMC, ret.

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1475 Old Dixie Highway

Saint Augustine, Florida

Jacob Iles Obituary

Lt. Col. Jacob (Bud) Iles USMC, ret. went to his Heavenly Home May 23, 2014, surrounded by his wife Elaine of 55 years, and his son, Brett Iles, Ph.D. Hailing from Iowa, he was a proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1958. He served for 20 years in the Marines as a combat pilot and test pilot.

Jacob Iles was a symbol of the mighty and heroic generation that served America. He was a wonderful family man with a great sense of humor, and his family repaid his love ten-fold. Lt. Col. Iles "encouraged himself in the Lord his God" 1 Sam: 30:6 and encouraged all those who were around him.

Jacob Iles served in air combat in Vietnam with honor and distinction. He received The Distinguished Flying Cross (3) with Oak Leaves, 20 Air Medals, the Bronze Star, and the Legion of Merit. After his Vietnam service, he was commander and test pilot for the Harrier jet. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for the Harrier project. After he retired from the Marines, Jacob Iles was a test pilot for Grumman Aircraft. He was a humble man who did not consider himself a hero, and whose character represented what is best in America.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, his son, Dr. Brett Iles PHD., his brother, the Rev. Richard Iles, and his wife, Peggy. In addition nephew, Brian, niece, Kristy (Iles) Robison and great-nephew, Brody and great-niece, Jennie will also miss him.

Bud was an active member of the First Conservative Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to the First Conservative Baptist Church 12021 Old Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville FL 32258.

Visiting hours at Craig Funeral Home are 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2014. Funeral services will be noon to 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2014, at First Conservative Baptist Church. Visiting: 2:30 p.m. Internment at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park (www.craigfuneralhome.com) is in charge of the arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Augustine Record from May 25 to May 28, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Jacob Iles

10 Entries

John "Nevada" Nevadomsky

May 31, 2014

I flew with Bud for many years at Grumman St. Augustine. He was my Manager but more importantly he was my mentor. I learned so very much from Bud that I still use as lessons to the next generation of flight testers today. Bud was very serious when it came to flight test but one day while he and I were flying an A-6E Bud did an unexpected split S, dove the aircraft down to 50' above the waves and sped towards the coastline. This was quite unexpected and when I looked over to him quizzically he responded: "The Lieutenant in me came out!"
You go LT!

Patrick Grasso

May 29, 2014

I am grateful to have known and work with Bud. He was a demanding test pilot who wanted his Plane Captains to give their very best for Safety and Quality. Have a great flight Bud!! Thanks for everything!!

Jeff Strait

May 29, 2014

Bud was a man's man. I would not trade 20 Brad Pitts or maybe 10 Tim Tebows for 1 of Bud. When he attended our suppers and gatherings at Shores Church I would always love to engage his mind. His intellect would always challenge and stimulate my thinking. He was the Right Stuff.

Robert Dinkins

May 28, 2014

My condolences to the family. I worked with Bud about fifteen years in the government aircraft test programs. He was a great pilot, and was very involved with maintence ground crews, for feedback. Sometimes he would fly as many as four different types of test aircraft in a day. That was remarkable for a pilot. He was always stressing cockpit management. He save numerous aircraft because his knowledge and wisdom.

“Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.”
? Ernest Hemingway

Douglass Berndt

May 28, 2014

My condolences to the family. My father spoke of times flying with "Bud" in N.Y. and the respect he had for him. When I first came to St. Augustine and met Bud I was fortunate to get to know him and came to respect him like so many others.

Bill Graham

May 27, 2014

I knew Bud as a classmate at the US Navy Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, MD. We were both helicopter-rated pilots, Bud from the Marines and me from the US Army. I quickly acquired a great respect for him as a pilot and as a friend. After graduation, our paths didn't cross again until recently at an air show in Stuart, FL where we were able to chat for about ten minutes. I intended to renew our friendship when we moved to St. Augustine but sadly, the clock ran out. I now extend my deepest sympathy to Bud's family.

Carlton Frye

May 27, 2014

Bud was my first test Pilot at GRUMMAN when I was a plane captain on the flightline in the early 90's. He used to visit us from time-to-time on the line when we were getting his plane ready for flight...he'd show up in his orange filght suit, and then go thru all the pockets looking for a cigarette; finally, after searching thru his suit to no avail someone would offer him one. Many, many memories...RIP Bud

Doc and BJ Maggert

May 27, 2014

Bud, your pilot's qualifications are now valid for all eternity. Time to buzz the tower.

steve hartshorne

May 26, 2014

my condolence's to the family,I'll miss"Bud",he made working here fun,even after he retired.Now he's flying with LES again

Paul Lowery

May 26, 2014

Bud was a great Commanding Officer/Pilot/and Marine. Have not seen him since I left the Corps in '89 though I had heard about him from other Marines and Civilians since then. His last flight in a Harrier was in a TAV8A and I was in his back seat. It was an interesting flight to say the least.

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