Eliot “Barry” Miles, 65, of Clinton, MD passed on Monday, December 5, 2022 after a six-month battle with GBM, Glioblastoma brain cancer. Optician; car enthusiast; humorist; audiophile with a proclivity for progressive rock; beer aficionado; loyal Washington football fan.
Barry was predeceased by his beloved wife Shelley Jo Glassburn Miles. Barry is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Hillary Caye Miles and PJ Murray (Chesterton, IN), parents Carolyn and Forrest Miles (Melbourne, FL), brother Alan Miles (Palm Bay, FL), sister and brother-in-law Heidi Miles Tryon and Michael Tryon (Fairfax Station, VA), sister and brother-in-law Deena Miles and Kevin McHugh (Viera, FL), father-in-law Glenn Glassburn (Fredericksburg, VA), brother-in-law Scott Glassburn (Hampton, VA) as well as many dear relatives and friends.
Born in Orlando, FL, he grew up in Prince Georges County, graduated from Crossland High School and settled in Clinton, MD after his marriage to Shelley. Barry and Shelley were married in August of 1978 at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, VA. Barry has lived in his current home for over 30 years and added several garages to hold and maintain his collection of cars.
In 1980 Barry Miles, Optician and Dr. Forrest Z. Miles, Optometrist founded and co-owned Eye Design in Clinton, MD. Father and son built a successful practice, working together for nearly 25 years. In 2009, the Opticians Association of Maryland (OAM) bestowed Barry with the Distinguished Optician Award. For almost 50 years, Barry enjoyed working with patients and informing them on the latest fashion and technological advancements in eyewear.
In the car community, there is a designation given to a unique, rare, or exceptional vehicle. They are known as 1-of-1; Barry was truly 1-of-1. Barry had a variety of unique sports and high-performance vehicles, including a 1970 Plum Crazy Purple Dodge Challenger T/A, 1986 Shelby GLHS, and a 2014 Stryker Green Viper SRT. He attended innumerable car shows and races, winning many awards such as the 2013 Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge with his meticulously prepared cars.
As a car enthusiast, Barry held many volunteer and leadership roles in the following organizations: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), BMW Car Club of America, Viper Owners Association, Shelby Dodge Automobile Club (SDAC). Barry also loved building and racing fast cars and he was valued as a highly skilled team member and crewed for Wesley Motorsports among other teams, and was instrumental to wins and trophies at races across the country, including the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week. He also loved Formula One, and combined his love of adventure with his passion for motorsport by taking trips with family and friends to see races across the US, Canada, Germany, and Hungary.
Barry found beauty in everything around him. He always dreamed of owning a log cabin and in September 2022, he was able to rent a beautiful log home on Lake Anna; there loved ones shared a memorial week celebrating Barry’s life with him. He was re-energized by the relaxing scenery, fun boat and truck rides, and loving family and friends.
Barry was selfless, passionate, and always willing to help family and friends. He was the life of the party! Barry’s motto was the Monty Python quote “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.
Wanting to help others with the same cancer, Barry chose to donate his brain to the Anatomy Gifts Registry. In lieu of flowers, please support your preferred cancer research organization.
Details to follow for Barry’s memorial celebration, Spring/Summer 2023