Jalal Salim Saour

Jalal Saour was born September 2, 1934, in Mosul, Iraq. He graduated from the Brothers of San Gabriel High School in India in 1952. He returned to Iraq, where he worked for British Petroleum as a payroll officer. Jalal had always wanted to come to America, and he eventually made that dream a reality. After immigrating to the United States, he attended the National Auto Diesel College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned his certification as an auto mechanic. Over the years, he worked in a variety of occupations, including auto mechanic, fruit market owner, wrought iron salesman, and insurance salesman.

Jalal enjoyed gardening and cooking, particularly preparing Iraqi dishes for family and friends. He traveled internationally and enjoyed experiencing different cultures. He also had a competitive side and regularly participated in Senior Pool tournaments on Tuesday afternoons.

Jalal was the oldest son of Salim Dawood and Najaiba Samoie (Albana) Saour. He is survived by his siblings Dawood, Suham, Muna, and Noel. His sister Victoria preceded him in death.

Jalal was married and widowed three times. With his first wife, Marta Alice (Prieto), he had three children: Amanda, Salim, and Timothy. With his second wife, Marian Luise {Snodgrass), he had a son, Jimmy. His third wife was Ruth Lorraine (Davis). He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Shane, Annabelle, and Reid.

Jalal was proud of his accomplishments as a boxer in high school and carried that fighting spirit throughout his life. He was a strong-willed and determined man who faced life on his own terms.

He was particularly proud of becoming a United States citizen. He prominently displayed his certificate of citizenship in every home he lived in. Jalal valued many things about his adopted country, but he considered America's freedom of religion to be its greatest attribute.

Jalal lived a long and eventful life that took him from Iraq and India to the United States. He worked many jobs, built a family, traveled, cooked, gardened, competed, and pursued the opportunities that brought him to the country he was proud to call home. He will be remembered by his family and friends for the life he lived and the mark he left on those who knew him.