Noble Preston Niles

Oct. 23, 1930 — May 5, 2008

Father, Grandfather, Brother, Friend, Traveler

Noble Preston Niles of Pecwan Hill, near Weitchpec, Calif., died May 5, 2008, after a lengthy illness of cancer on his farm overlooking the Klamath River, on the Yurok reservation, where he lived for nearly fifty years.

He was devoted to his family, and at the end of his long and adventuresome life, he was cared for by his beloved daughter, Cindy Marie Niles, and companion Raymond Moon Sr. His grandchildren, Mindy Marie Natt and Thomas Edward Willson Jr. were always close to their grandfather and remained so to the end of his life. His youngest brother, Philip, and many family friends were a comfort and support to him and the family throughout his illness. He will be greatly missed.

Noble Preston Niles was born in Selma, Calif., on Oct. 23, 1930, to Geddes William Niles and Gladys Belle McCormack Niles. Noble Niles was the third of six children. He is survived by brothers Geddes Leroy Niles of Kailua, Hawaii, David Niles of Ketchum, Idaho, and Philip Niles of Arroyo Grande, Calif., and sisters Iris Sea of Salem, Ore., and Roberta Joy Birum of Middletown, Calif..

Noble was raised on the family farm in Green Valley, near Cordelia, Calif. At the age of 14, he left home to work in a box factory at Lake Almanor. He returned to attend Armijo High School in Fairfield, Calif. At the age of 16, he moved to Humboldt County and attended Arcata High School while falling timber and making split stuff with his friend John Turkovich. He married Barbara Jean Taylor, since deceased, in 1961. They had two children: Jennifer Irene Niles, deceased at infancy, and Cindy Marie. Noble worked as a contract timber faller until the mid-1970s with partners Randy Thomson, Buster Owens, and Banjo Palen.

From childhood on, Noble had a love and curiosity for nature and was amazingly gifted in the skills of observing and nurturing animals and was a master gardener. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed world travel.

He was an active member of the Sufi community and participated in The Dances of Universal Peace. He was a respected elder at the Lama Foundation in the Sangre de Christo mountains of New Mexico. His straightforward honesty, generosity, wisdom, courage and gentle ways will be remembered by all who were close to him. He was a good man.

On Saturday, May 17, 2008, a memorial service will be held at Fern Canyon (from 101 take Davidson Rd. to the parking area). Please arrive promptly by 1 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care of Paul’s Chapel, Arcata.