David Anderson Giles, 95

David Anderson Giles, 95, of Columbus, Ga., passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Dave was born to Arthur and Margaret Giles in Duluth, Minn., on Jan. 7, 1931. He was the third of four children. His father was a Presbyterian minister at Orelans Presbyterian Church, Orleans, Minn., Kittson County, where he met David’s mother and they married in 1926. Margaret Anderson grew up on a farm about 6 miles northwest of Oreleans next to the Canadian border. Her parents were Anders and Anna Anderson.
In 1948, at the age of 17, Dave walked into National Bible Institute in New York City to sign in as a student. The first person he met was Allene Neal, the receptionist. After four years of college, they married the week of his graduation in her home church, Mt. Paran Baptist Church, Blacksburg, South Carolina. Following college graduation, he entered Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating in 1956. They had started as a couple and left as a family, having welcomed Ken in February of that year.
David taught one year at Humboldt, Minn., High School from 1956-57. He was also pastor of the Mission Covenant Church in Hallock, Minn., and served the North Star Church from 1957-60.
While in seminary he joined the fellowship his father had joined, the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA). He pastored in Minnesota (welcome Debbie) and Wisconsin (hello Glen) before joining the Army; his Chaplaincy was under the endorsement of the IFCA. He and the family enjoyed the various postings in the U.S. and Germany where he had fruitful ministry among the troops as well as military families. He retired as a Lt. ColonelDAG in 1992 at the mandatory age of 62, having completed 26 years of active duty.
Following his retirement, he and Allene moved to Denver, Colo., where he was an interim pastor until moving to Columbia, S.C., in 1998. His activities at Northeast Presbyterian Church in Columbia included singing in the choir, teaching a men’s Bible class for nine years as well as teaching various Sunday school classes when called upon. He also volunteered with Christian Ministries International, including six overseas mission trips. He was also active in the Atlantic Southeast Regional of the IFCA, serving as secretary. He and Allene moved to The Waterford, an independent living facility in 2015. He led the Thursday morning Bible Study there.
They moved again in July of 2017 to Columbus, Ga., where he was active with Grace Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir and preaching on occasion. He especially enjoyed the Tuesday morning men’s Bible study and helping them serve at Safe House, a local homeless ministry. He also met weekly with the men’s lunch group from Berean Covenant Church, and studied weekly and golfed with the men at Wynnton Methodist. His favorite activities included golfing, a good walk around the neighborhood and reading. Christian books were his inspiration as he loved learning as much as he could about the Lord.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings. His memory lives on through his wife of 73 years Allene Neal Giles; his three children, Kenneth Allen (Darlene) Giles, Debra Lynn (Giles) Hash, and Glen David Giles (Patricia); nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Dave will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew and loved him.
His memorial service wasw on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 7211 Britton Drive, Columbus, Ga. Visitation followed the service in the Fellowship Hall, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity or to Grace Presbyterian Church in memory of David A. Giles.
He was laid to rest at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Ala.