Giles M. Alderman

Giles M. Alderman died suddenly October 14, 2008 at Memorial Hospital at Easton. Born February 26, 1930 in the rural mountain area of Laurel Fork, VA, he was the son of the late William Jefferson “Jeff” and Venia Lou Alderman. He moved to the Preston, MD area in 1935. Giles began school in the one room school in Hog Creek, MD, later going to Preston School. During his school years he would return to Virginia to attend school there, returning to attend and graduate from Easton High School in 1947. He was proud that he had an instrumental part in planning and attending the only reunion the class of ’47 ever had, which was their 50th in 1997. Giles had a lifelong love of sports, and coached and managed many local Pony League and American Legion baseball teams. He was proud of the boys who became good men. The fact that he helped coach Harold Baines always held special meaning for him. Later he helped coach the Roe’s softball team with Gene Butler. He loved following his daughter Terri’s sporting events, as well as granddaughter Crystal’s, always there in a cheering, supporting role. He was a fan of Navy as well as Virginia and University of Maryland college teams. The Easton Volunteer Fire Department was a passion of Giles’ from the time he joined in May of 1954. He was a proud firefighter and moved up through the ranks to become a line officer, and then Chief in 1967 and 1968. He later served on the Board of Trustees and has been a life member after his days as an active firefighter. His years of service, friendship, and camaraderie meant a great deal to Giles. He loved taking the children of his family to show them the “firehouse” and the “fire trucks”. This was especially true with his daughter, granddaughter, and in recent months his great-grandson, Colin. He was employed by McCord’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners in the dry cleaning plant for over 49 years. For the last ten years, he has been employed part-time as a courier for Chesapeake Publishing. These ten years, as part of the composition department, as well as his contacts with all the other departments within the company, have been very happy ones for him. He was a member of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Maryland National Guard for nine years. Giles married Joyce Harrison in February of 1959, sharing almost fifty years of marriage. They have a daughter, Terri, a granddaughter, Crystal, and a great-grandson, Colin – all the lights of his life. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughter, Terri Tull and her companion Larry Johnson; granddaughter, Crystal Tull; great-grandson, Colin Dudding; brother-in-law, Dale Harrison and his wife Linda; sister-in-law, Betty Harrison; nephews, Joe Newell (Mary), Danny Harrison, Kevin Harrison, Scott Harrison (Loretta), Skip Harrison (Jenny), Troy Harrison (Janet); niece, Louise Cassell (Oleon); nephew-in-law, Alfred Horton; and a special godson, Les Chance. He is predeceased by his parents, Jeff and Venia Alderman; sisters, Zula Nester and Stella Weddle; brothers, Alonzo Alderman, Earnest Alderman, and William “Shag” Alderman; mother and father in-law, Mae and Clark Harrison; and brother in law, Sam Harrison. Friends may call from 2 to 4 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department in Easton. Burial will be at Junior Order Cemetery, Preston, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations made to the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, 315 Aurora Park Drive, Easton, MD 21601.

Giles M. Alderman

February 26, 1930 - October 14, 2008