From Ed's Memorial Service
In 1972, Ed Giles graduated from San Diego State and with his teaching credentials in hand was eager to begin his career in education. While searching for a teaching position, he worked at FedMart repairing brakes to make ends meet.
He interviewed for a job at Grossmont High School and left feeling confident that the position was his. However, as August approached and he still hadn't heard anything, he and Trisha decided it was time to follow up. When Trisha called the school, she was s…
Lisa Amorteguy
Colleague · Educator
Ed wore many hats in my life he was the boss who believed in me, the mentor who shaped my career, and the dear friend who stood by my side during life's biggest milestones. I am honored to celebrate Ed—a man who was all of those things to me.
As a boss, Ed didn't just manage; he coached. He took a chance on me when I was so young in my teaching career. When I interviewed for the Vice Principal position at the end of the interview they said you have never done administration and you don’t have a lot of High Sch…
Julianne Cochran
Family · Brother/Uncle
I can still hear the way he would say my name, with such a smile in his voice. He had a way of making everyone feel cared for and his joy was infectious. I loved spending time in his hot tub or on his "golf course" and remember fondly visiting him when he was a principal. He will be missed greatly.
Susie Houle
Colleague · Educator
Ed was a great team player and gentleman. We had heard someone was at our school looking for a counselor to deliver a subpoena. However, it was almost Easter break and no one wanted to testify in court. So me, Ed, and 3 counselors hid from the server. Our secretary had warned us that we were being sought after because one of us would be able to deliver the subpoena to the counselor. We all decided to leave the counseling "trailer"-- TP was under construction and we worked in trailers for our offices. Well, like a g…
Trenton
Family · Friend
Pad squad at padres game vs giants 5-4 pads win! 8/2/26
Ben Haar
Friend · Golfer
I went to the range with Papa for Thanksgiving golf. He got me this brand new used driver from the clubhouse and the first swing I broke the club head and it went farther than the ball. We both looked at each other and just ended up walking to hole 1.
Greg Giles
Family · Father
What do I believe? This is a simple question, yet it has a profound and powerful impact on a life.
Quite a journey this man’s life has been. He had wins and losses, success and failures, made big mistakes yet fixed so many wrongs, but the Man He continues to follow is the One who never fails.
My dad was loved by many because he loved many. And he was able to do this for 2 main reasons.
He met a woman when he was 18 years old who believed in him. She loved him and supported him and truly thought he was good.…
Steve and Susie
Friend · Brother/Uncle
Susie and Steve
From Stevie (as Ed would say)
When I first met Eddie I knew I wanted to be his friend...outside of my 60 years of marriage and friendship to my wife Susie, I was and I am blessed to call Eddie my best friend. Eddie was the type of person that could have run a Fortune 500 company because he had the drive and personality to accomplish anything he set his mind to. Fortunately for all of us who loved him he chose to choose Tricia and Christ...and I think in that order at first. His love for Tri…
Trenton Giles
Family · Papa
I love you papa, this is a test
Susie and Steve Cavanaugh
Best buddies for 50 years
So so many adventures — we can not see each other for a long while and when we get together with Ed and Tricia it's like we were never apart. Love them both and the family so much. First time 1976 (or so!), last time Shayla's 50th birthday last year in Laguna — will be forever grateful for that time. ❤️
Eric Johnson
Taught at CHS · Educator
To the family of Ed Giles,
I want to let you know how saddened I am to hear about the passing of Ed Giles. He was an incredible man and will be badly missed.
I first met Ed in 1993 when he and Martha Avery interviewed me for a position as an English teacher at Christian High School. I had no previous experience but had a desire to teach. Ed was very professional in our interview — I was very nervous — and he decided to take a chance on me, hiring me to teach yearbook, newspaper, and English. I taught at CHS for 1…
Marty Price
Friend, and worked for Ed for years · Educator
Ed started out as my kids' principal in 1979 at Temple Baptist PreSchool in Perris, CA. I subbed a few times too. We had a good income so I was happy to donate to the school as well. Later in 1987 we all moved to the El Cajon area and started at CJHS/CHS at the same time. I worked at the Junior High and the next year worked for Ed at the high school too.
A couple years later, he was principal over the Jr High too at the High School campus. We had great years together and he blessed us with great leadership and som…
Jeffrey Lee Reynolds
Friend and Thursday golf partner at Carlton Oaks · Golfer
From the very first moment I met Ed, it felt like we were engaged in one continuous conversation, only interrupted by our golf shots and then resumed once we were back in the cart. There was no need to explain anything when we picked up where we left off; it just flowed naturally. Anything and everything would trigger a memory for him, leading to a special moment from his past.
Ed had a remarkable knack for asking questions and genuinely listening to my stories, no matter the topic. He never rushed to steer the co…
Jeffrey Lee Reynolds
Friend and Thursday golf partner at Carlton Oaks · Golfer
As I reflect on our days spent on the course and the many conversations we shared, I'm trying to capture as many memories as I can. A common thread emerges — one of generosity and kindness. Ed was always there to lend a hand, whether it was fixing someone's car, loaning tools to help a friend in need, or offering sage advice to a young couple about navigating the early stages of marriage and the importance of accepting one another as they are.
He filled in as a substitute teacher at a new school, organized a wiffl…
Casey Sitze
Taught his grandkids · Papa
I taught 3 of his grandkids — Greg and Tiffany's children. I also taught Marcus and Weston. Ed was at everything. Front and center at all the grandparent days, Christmas programs. You name it and he was there as the proudest grandpa. You could tell he just loved being there and enjoying his grandkids always. I hope someday I'm blessed to be an all in grandparent like him. I know when he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, Tiffany was so upset. She loved him just like a dad. Not everyone gets to have such a sp…
Jonathan
His principal first, then his friend · Educator
Somehow, every time when we went out with friends and family I forgot my wallet. I try to remember if I did it on purpose or not. I'm sure Ed thought I did it on purpose. He was truly a Christian brother. He wasn't afraid of helping me grow in Christ. Especially if I was in need of wisdom and direction. Tricia and Ed made a wonderful team. Along with my parents they showed me how a husband and wife work together through love. Even when they don't always agree. I'm glad I got to talk to him a few months ago. I was h…
Brennan Sanders
Family friend · Backpacker
I was on the annual family boys backpacking trip and we had our prayer circle and everyone talking about what we could pray about and I had brought up how my stepmom was diagnosed with breast cancer and I talked about how hard it was on her and how much she was fighting and during that time I was doing a lot to support her and the family and later on in the trip Roo and I had a heart to heart conversation about life and battles with health and he didn't know it at the time but it meant so much to me to have a man t…
Darnell Uhland
Family friend
I always looked up to Roo as a man who chased God's heart consistently. He was a servant who would open his home to all and want the best for others. I have great memories of Roo and Tricia opening up their home for a Band of Brothers to come together. He was a man of integrity and one of the most genuine that I have ever met. I absolutely loved the way that he would listen and lead young people whenever he was helping Greg or Ffoeg with coaching. To me, he was the epitome of being a man's man because he let Jesus…
Bethany (Buser) Gaut
CHS student, 1993–96 · Educator
I wish I had more stories actually, I mostly remember how kind, and easy he was to talk to and be around! I remember Mr Giles always smiling and having a special relationship with the guys of the class of '96, his son Geoff was a part of our class and you could tell Mr Giles had a special bond with these guys.
I remember at graduation the guys had collected green army men, and decided to hand them to Mr Giles as they shook his hand while receiving their diplomas. Mr Giles tried desperately to keep a straight face w…
Frederick Stutz
Grandfather-in-law to Greg & Tiffany's family · Papa
We were grandfather-in-law's to the Greg and Tiffany Giles family for many years. It all started when I walked into Ed Giles's office at Christian High School to introduce my 14-year-old daughter Tiffany Stutz, and Ed the principal, greeted her warmly. Little did I know that Greg was out in the lobby watching the girls come in for interviews and had his eye on Tiffany from day one. He was a great principal and a great supporter of Tiffany throughout the four years and the highlights of course were two State champio…
Pamela Anderson
Worked with Dr. Giles for 11 years
The photo I attached is the only one I have with Ed. It was taken at Carlton Oaks when we were there for Comedy night. We ran into Ed, he came over and took my husband's seat while he was gone... and then stayed to watch the show with us. I never, ever take selfies, but we decided to do it and then send it to Dr G. It was taken 3 months before he left us. I will always remember him just like that... with a smile, some jokes or funny stories. Sometimes he would come by the office and we would share a coffee... and j…
Kevin Epps
Backpacking friend · Backpacker
Roo was the fishing guru and master chef on backpack trips. I first met him when he was the Principal at Christian High but quickly found him to be a mentor during our times in the mountains. He always had a tip for catching trout. Always packed the espresso maker and was quick with an offer to share. He was uniquely stubborn, competitive, caring, serious, and lighthearted. He was a man to be admired and emulated. I'll never forget how mad he got at us for "getting all doped up" on our Unisom. He touched so many li…
Connor Chase
Golf friend · Golfer
I worked at Carlton Oaks Golf Course with Ed for parts of around 3 years. We started a friendship and began golfing together. Myself and my friends (all aged 24) would specifically invite Ed to play with us because he was such a fun person to be around. He would always send me a text after our rounds thanking me for including him and how special he felt to be with the young guys — but we enjoyed it more than he did. He will be greatly missed.
Valerie Kamber
His sister-in-law · Brother/Uncle
Flying out from Memphis and visiting Eddie and Tricia at their home.
Daniel Giles
His brother · Brother/Uncle
Going to Spring Training Baseball with Eddie, Alan and Timmy.
Daniel Giles
His brother · Brother/Uncle
Family Reunion.
Daniel Giles
His brother · Brother/Uncle
Going to our last Padres game. We attended numerous Padres games together over the last 57 years.
Daniel Giles
His brother · Brother/Uncle
Today I want to Honor my brother Eddie.
He may be known to others as Roo, Mr. Giles, Uncle Eddie, Grandpa or as I always called him Eddie Boy! Whenever I would talk to him he would call me Danny Boy. I am saddened and devastated by his passing. Eddie Boy was a brother, a friend and someone who I could ALWAYS turn to for advice, counsel and guidance. Our favorite topics were the Chargers, Padres, Playing Softball, Family, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I miss him immensely and my heart is hurting. He will be…
