KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The cashier who was shot to death in a failed restaurant robbery was a 60-year-old recovering alcoholic.

Dan Giles had just gotten his life back together-- he had some bouts with alcohol so he checked himself into a residential addiction recovery program called "The Steps House."

He had been sober since at least March when he entered the program.

But really, his friends say it was that job at S&S that turned him around.

"He was on the right track, then this happened," Richard Stein, the Clinical Supervisor and Giles' most recent counselor at The Steps house told Volunteer TV.

Dan Giles did well for himself, professionally.
He had a Master's degree in business and for more than 25 years worked as a CPA.
But he lost it all because of the drink.

"A guy with his background and education, for him to take a cashier job," Stein started. "That says a lot for Dan. He was doing whatever it took."

Stein says Giles had been withdrawn when he first checked in, but once he took the job at S&S his whole demeanor brightened.

"He called me because we have a house meeting on Thursday nights," Stein explained, "and he called and said that that he had to work."

That'd be the last time the guys at The Steps House would hear from Dan.

"There will be a hole in the serenity of the place. He added a great deal of that kind of calm," Doug Andreasen said.

Andreasen checked into The Steps House around the same time as Dan, and Doug and Dan became fast friends.

"We were both the old men of the group," Andreasen joked.

Andreasen explained that Dan was broken, and God had seeped into his friend's life through the cracks.

"He was at peace. Maybe for the first time, I know in a long time, maybe for the first time in his life."

Ironically, the guys at The Steps House say the shooter is probably a lot like their friend.

"If the gunman would have asked for help at any point along the way, Dan would have done everything that he could to be of assistance to him. He had had his own troubles and knew what being in trouble was all about," Andreasen explained.

But Dan Giles died sober. He was victorious.

"He crossed the finish line better than he started," Andreasen smiled.

Giles grew up in Loudon County; he went to Loudon County High School and had moved away after graduating from ETSU.

He had just moved back to the area to get things straightened up.

We know that an estranged son coming from Ohio to make funeral arrangements.