Brian Kanof, a well-known El Paso photographer, military veteran and family man, died Sunday, June 21. Services are planned for Friday, June 26. He was 77.
Wayne Thornton, vice president of public relations for the Sun Bowl Association, said Kanof was a great human being and talented photographer. Kanof was an official photographer for the Sun Bowl Association for many years.
“Brian was an individual that over the years of knowing him, (I could say), he had such a rich history of El Paso, and an understanding of people to make you feel like you were living in that moment,” Thornton said. “Photography aside, he was a man that was a champion of people in terms of voting rights and helping those in need. He always was there when you needed him.”
His son, Stuart Kanof, said in an email he was an incredible father, grandfather, brother, husband and friend.
“He was everyone’s biggest fan and had so much to give. He will be incredibly and deeply cherished, and missed by many,” he said.
Kanof, born in Portsmouth, Va., came to El Paso with his parents Elsie Rawlson and Irving Lee Kanof when his father was stationed at Fort Bliss in 1957. His father was later stationed in Rome, Italy where he graduated from high school in the Overseas School of Rome.
It was there his affinity with photography began with an apprenticeship with famed Italian photographer Mauro Cota, according to his obituary.
He enrolled at UTEP as a journalism student in 1967, starting his 40-plus-years with UTEP as the athletic department’s photographer. He was also hired by the El Paso Times in 1969 and named chief photographer in 1970.
Ray Adauto, president of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, said Kanof was very involved in the sports community.
“He was very involved with us in the Athletic Hall of Fame. I can tell you that Brian was integral in taking those historic moments and being able to show you know what we were about in the 70s, 80s and even into the 90s,” he said. “He was a mentor to me and a good friend.”
Kanof left for graduate school in 1971 and earned his master’s in journalism from Ball State University in 1972. He made his way through ROTC at UTEP and was in the commissioning class of 1971.
Among his accomplishments is having his photo used as inspiration for the Don Haskins statue of the coach in a bear hug stance that is located east of the Don Haskins Center, between the arena and Mesa Street.
He was later inducted into the UTEP and El Paso Sports Halls of Fame.
Brian is survived by his sister Debra, his wife Jacky, his daughter Lauren and son Stuart, his grandchildren and step grandchildren Jonas, Jaxon, Jaden, Tyson, Tre and Tatem.
Graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, at Temple Mount Sinai Cemetery, 3911 Gateway Blvd. West. A celebration of life will follow at All American Hall, 2608 Fort Blvd.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to his favorite charities: Zia Equitreks and Echo Hill Ranch. gofundme: Zia Equitreks Brian Kanof Memorial. Cashapp: ZiaEquitreks
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso photographer, veteran Brian Kanof has died
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
