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Harry Liles Obituary
Graduated from Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William & Mary in 1962. While there he worked for the Richmond Times Dispatch as a graphic artist. He was also involved with Sam Perry in sports car racing.
Then he was drafted into the US Army. He was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for officer trainingand left there for Nike Hercules Missile Training in El Paso, Texas and was sent to Fort Banks, Mass. for a top secret assignment.
He married Mary Lou Metzger on June 10,1962. They were students together at RPI. After his Army service they moved to California Where he attended Art Center College of Design graduating in 1968.
He worked as a photographer for Time-Life, Inc.
In 1970 he joined Sid Avery and Associates as an associate photographer.
In 1972 he started his own studio in Hollywood, California and in addition to still photography; Harry in 1974 began producing and directing TV commercials. His clients included Kellogg's, Sony, Ford, Chevrolet, Lincoln-Mercury, Toyota, Datsun, Nissan, Avis Rent A Car, Playboy Magazine, MGB, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, and Princess Cruises.
His models included Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tom Selleck, Micheal Jackson and Gavin McCloud.
In 1978 he received the Gold Caddy from the Detroit Club. Closed studio in 1984. He started teaching full time at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara until it closed.
He developed PIE, Pro Invoice Estimate, a software with another photographer to help photographers bid jobs online.
In 1985 he went to New York to create Advertising Photographers of America and was a founding member of APALA.
In 1973 he and Mary Lou had a son, Erik Gibson Liles.
They lived in Calabasas and later in Hidden Hills, California. After retirement they moved to Durango, Colorado.
He is survived by his wife Mary Lou, his son Erik, and his two sisters Dori and Nancy.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harry Liles
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
2 Entries
Mary and W. H. Goodwyn
May 31, 2025
We were saddened to learn of Harry's death and Mary and I send you and your family condolences and deepest sympathy. Mary and W. H. Goodwyn.
Kailie Dan
May 30, 2025
Always let people know you love them.
Harry Liles changed my life and made me the best version of myself. While attending The Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, I hit a breaking point and wanted to call a quits at being a photographer & that's when Harry found me. Another professor knew my love for cars and asked Harry to find me so that I wouldn't leave Brooks. From that day on we started meeting everyday, and bonded over our love for cars, photography and technology.
Harry believed in me and knew how to encourage me to push myself to be the best me. He always told me that I was better than all the boys.
I spent my whole last year at Brooks doing an independent study with him where he introduced me to his LA photography connections. He told me to follow my dreams and that I could be anything I was willing to put the time into.
Without Harry I wouldn't be the person I am today. He got me my first internship and job after collage and we stayed in touch over the years. He would call and check on me and when he was in town he would always treat me to Thai food.
He was one of the kindest and most thought people I have ever known.
I will truly miss and forever be thankful for him and all that he taught me.
The last time I spoke to Harry was right before I moved to Hawaii, I planned on visiting him in Colorado however our timing never worked out. I wish I could have seen him again, but I will always remember him smiling and loving life.
Thank you for everything Harry. I haven't been using my camera as much lately, and today I plan on changing that. Harry would want me to keep creating and remembering who I am.
Harry was a true legend and the best mentor.
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