The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Jaden Harvey Wiles walked his dusty cowboy boots out of this world on October 21, 2023. Jaden's easy laugh, charming smile, bright green eyes, and broad shoulders belied his big heart that he shared generously with so many of us.

Hard work and good friends are what brought Jaden his joy. His thick blonde hair was usually barely restrained by a sweat- stained ball cap. Dirty and oily Carhartt overalls over a white T-shirt bespoke a young man that literally dove into his work with all his being. Jaden wore that working man's tuxedo proudly. Jaden was a hand at the Cole Ranch for several years, and tended the wheel lines, ditches, and whatever needed done. But Jaden found pure joy in working the cattle and calving season. If something needed done in the dead of a cold Sisters winter night during calving, he was proud to be the first hand pulling on his boots and out to the fields or barn to nurture a momma or new calf. Caring for those fragile calves spoke to Jaden's tender heart. Jaden was an enterprising guy and wanted to expand his skills and work with equipment. He signed on with High Desert Utilities, and then with Tewalt & Sons, where at the grizzled age of 19 he was trusted to run his own crews and call the shots. His paystubs are a testament to his passion for this work and the Tewalt crew, all showing generous amounts of overtime. Even with that, Jaden burnt little daylight but much diesel pulling loads of hay from Central Oregon in his dually F350 to the four corners of the state. He simply felt best when working.

Jaden loved the red cinder roads of Sisters Country, bonfires with friends, and briefly a cheap Craigslist Volvo station wagon, where all three of these treasures were combined by him and his fun-loving friends for a grand misadventure. The "Volvo rally" was frowned upon by local authorities, but it makes us smile now. "Jaybird" to his mom Effie, "Harve" to Grandma Deb, loved his older sister, Hailey, who was more his buddy, confidante, and occasional partner in mischief, with the full of his big heart. His black lab, Hank, will miss sniffing those boots and overalls, and Jaden's head scratches.

Born on November 24, 2003, in Corvallis, our Jaden leaves us all too soon. His mother, Effie Ogan, father Corey Wiles, sister Hailey Wiles, step-dad John Ogan, grandma Deb Branson and grandparents Melody and John Wiles have a void we can only try to fill with memories, stories, and love for Jaden that will not ever diminish. So many dear friends must find a way to heal as well, and we share our love of Jaden with yours. We are grateful beyond capacity of expression for the love and friendship Jaden's large tribe shared with us and one another during his Celebration of Life on November 29, 2023. Jaden's mortal being will be laid to rest at the family's Fern Ridge Cemetery in Seal Rock, Oregon but his light will shine within all of us forever.