John Castles, 95, died Friday, December 14, 2018, at Sanctuary Hospice House. He was born in Sessums in Oktibbeha County, October 4, 1923, to Frank and Lucy Stiles Castles. He graduated from Starkville High School and received his Bachelors degree from Mississippi State University. He served his country in the Eighth Air Force in the United States Army Aircorps during World War II. For 29 years, he worked as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His first assignment sent him to New York City where he met the love his life, Betty Miller whom he married February 20, 1950. In 1964, John and his family relocated to Tupelo with the FBI. Before retiring at age 65, he worked as Director of Security at North Mississippi Medical Center for eight years. John was a member of the Tupelo Rotary Club and an active community volunteer serving at the hospital, Salvation Army and the Antone Tannehill Free Clinic. He led a physically active life and enjoyed running even until age 75. He also enjoyed exercising his mind by working crossword puzzles throughout his life. He was a long-time active member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and taught Sunday School for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Betty Castles; two children, Charles P. “Chuck” Castles and his wife, Gail of Selmer, Tennessee and Audra Alexander and her husband, Mark of Beaufort, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Jonathan Castles and his wife, Nikki of Jackson, Tennessee, Joy Case and her husband, Benjie of Adamsville, Tennessee, Jason Castles and his wife, Jessica of St. Charles, Missouri, Jimmy Castles and his wife, Bridget of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Paul Alexander and his wife, Emily of Washington, D.C. and Bonnie Alexander and her fiancé, Sean Wagner of Washington, D.C.; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Charles and Carson Castles.
Services honoring his life will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Charles Castles and Rev. Ron Richardson officiating. Graveside Services with Military Honors will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at the church.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Castles, Jason Castles, Jimmy Castles, Paul Alexander, Benjie Case and Jeffrey Tannehill.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177 Tupelo, MS 38803.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
