Obituary of Damon K. Liles

Damon Karle Liles passed away at the age of 59 on Saturday, November 4, 2023, surrounded by family at his home in Canby, Oregon. He faced and fought an aggressive form of cancer with courage and fortitude for two and a half years, and continued working, golfing, hunting, and fishing until he passed.

Damon was born on August 2, 1964, in Portland, Oregon to Jack and Maureen (Byrd) Liles.

He attended grade school in Estacada, before the family moved to Albany in 1975. Damon went to West Albany High School, and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon from 1983 to 1987, where he played football and baseball. He was part of the 1984 and 1986 national championship football teams, and earned defensive MVP for the 1986 game. Damon graduated from Linfield in 1987 with a degree in Business.

After graduation, Damon was a hunting and fishing guide in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, and later a sales representative at Bashor’s Sports. In 1993, he began a successful 30-year career as a manufacturer’s representative in the HVAC industry with M. Brady and Associates.

In 1988, Damon met Cynthia Dykstra in Portland, Oregon, and the two were married in 1991. He was a loving husband and best friend to Cynthia for 32 years, and together they loved spending time with their friends, family, and pursuing hobbies outdoors. Damon and Cynthia had two children, Jack and Amanda, and Damon coached both of their sports teams growing up. He taught Jack and Amanda to be independent, honest, and hardworking individuals.

In his free time, Damon was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman, and shared his passion for the outdoors with those closest to him. From Estacada to Canby and everywhere in between, he made lasting and impactful friendships which he cherished for life. Despite his many accomplishments at work, athletics, outdoors, and home, Damon will be remembered for his quiet humility and resilient and enduring strength of character.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia (Canby), children Jack (Oregon City) and Amanda (Washington D.C.), mother Maureen Liles (Albany), siblings Brad (Tracy) Liles (Albany), Todd (Lisa) Liles (Salem), Casey (Krista) Liles (Vancouver), and Bonnie Jarstad (Dinard, France), as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Damon was preceded in death by his father Jack Virgil Liles (Albany, d. 2018). A Celebration of Life will be held at the Oregon Golf Club (25700 SW Pete’s Mountain Road, West Linn, OR, 97068) at 2:00pm on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Linfield Athletics or Canby Baseball. Donation information listed below.

Linfield Athletics: Online at TopCat Club or by check made out to Linfield Athletics and mailed to Linfield University 900 SE Baker Street, McMinnville, OR 97128.

Canby Baseball: Via Venmo to @canbyjuniorbaseball or by check made out to Canby Baseball and mailed to PO Box 806, Canby, OR 97013.