Philip Aull

CHARLOTTE — Philip Sidney Aull 86, died peacefully in his sleep at Aldersgate on September 10, 2014. He was born on March 5, 1928 in Newberry, SC , the fifth son of the late Elbert Herman Aull and Mae Amick Aull. He was predeceased by his four older brothers, Elbert, Luke, Francis and Julian. Philip was a hardworking, faithful and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Aull graduated from Newberry High School with the class of 1945. He served in the Occupation Forces at the end of World War II in Germany, where he purchased his first camera, thus beginning his lifelong passion for photography. After being discharged from the Army in 1948, he returned to Newberry, SC and graduated from Newberry College in 1950. Philip then followed his brothers to Salisbury, NC where he worked in the printing business as a linotype operator at the Salisbury Post. Shortly after moving to Salisbury he met his wife, Haroldine Peeler Aull. They were married in 1954 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Salisbury. He later moved to Charlotte, NC to work at the Charlotte News, setting type at night and running a studio during the day. With a wife and two young daughters, he took a leap in 1959 to become a photographer full time and became one of the most respected photographers in the state. "Maybe you have even seen the man himself with his memorable shock of white hair and his brilliant smile slipping into his proudly weather-worn red truck".

He and his wife have owned and operated Phil Aull Studio in Charlotte for 58 years, where he was able to work at the job he loved until the last few months of his life. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of North Carolina of which he was a permanent Board Member and was instrumental in the creation of the East Coast School of Photography. He was also a member of the Professional Photographers of America, from whom he received his Master of Photography and his Photographic Craftsman degrees. He was also presented with Life Memberships by both associations. He also received a National Award for outstanding service to his profession and to the PPA from North Carolina and Virginia.

Having purchased one of the first lots for sale on Lake Norman in 1968, Phil spent many wonderful years tinkering and playing on the water with family and friends. He loved for everyone to gather at the "river".

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Haroldine Aull and his daughters Cassie Aull Stone and her husband Ray of Wilkesboro, NC; Cindy Aull Flehan and her husband Ronnie of Charlotte, NC; his five grandchildren, Katie Stone Eller and her husband Nick of Mooresville, NC; Philip Stone of Wilkesboro, NC; Mark Stone of Philadelphia, PA; Allison Flehan of Greensboro, NC and Jonathan Flehan of Charlotte, NC; as well as great-granddaughter Caroline Sydney Eller of Mooresville, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Saturday September 13, 2014, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, located at 1001 Queens Road in Charlotte, NC, with the Rev. Jeff Lingle presiding. Family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carolina Photographic Foundation Scholarship in memory of Phil Aull, 427 Greenleaf Road, Angier, NC 27501 or the Phil Aull Scholarship Fund at Newberry College, 2100 College Street, Newberry, SC 21908.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Carolinas Rehabilitation and Asbury at Aldersgate for their care during his illness.

Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service 1111 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC, 28203. Please share condolences online at www.hankinsandwhittington.com.