Adib Raphael Farsoun

by Lynn McMillen
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Adib Raphael Farsoun, age 88, died peacefully on January 14, 2025, at home with the two women he loved most in the world — his wife Hiyam and his daughter Rosemary — by his side, along with dear friends. He was blessed with good health until recent years. The last twelve months had been an especially difficult time, with frequent visits to hospitals and rehab facilities, as he was battling the late stages of dementia. On November 4, he was admitted to hospice and was cared for at home by his loving wife of 31 years, Hiyam, and the wonderful hospice nurses. Adib’s wishes were honored and he died at home surrounding by people he loved.

Adib was born in Palestine in 1936. After his family home and all of their belongings were taken from them during the war in 1948, they emigrated to Lebanon and he remained there until he went to college. Adib attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman and graduated with a degree in engineering. He remained an avid fan of Oklahoma football. Boomer Sooner!

While living in Norman, Adib met his first wife, Marilyn. They married in 1960 and had three children – John, Rosemary and Susan. Marilyn died in 1988. In 1993, Adib married Hiyam and became a step-father to Sasha and Tammer. He later became a grandfather and a great-grandfather. Family meant absolutely everything to Adib. His heart was big enough to love them all.

Adib enjoyed his work as an engineer. He was a brilliant man. With Boeing, he worked on the Saturn V. Most of his career was spent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working in Huntsville, Alabama and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was well respected in his field and did contract work off and on for several years after his “retirement”.

In retirement, Adib loved working on all kinds of projects at their home, his family members’ homes, his neighbors’ homes, or his friends’ homes. He was a Jack-of-all-trades and a master of most of them. Adib was fearless! He was not intimidated by any project — regardless of size or difficulty. His motto was “Measure twice, cut once”. Adib built beautiful furniture, remodeled their entire home, and built structures. The finished products were always impressive! He spent much of his time working in the yard as he and Hiyam transformed their backyard into a paradise they could admire while drinking their morning coffee.

Adib played tennis regularly well into retirement. He had a great group of tennis buddies that he met at the courts every Saturday morning for a tennis match, conversation and a beer. When his tennis days were over (due to hips not choice), he worked out at the gym to stay healthy. His focus on staying active kept him in shape well into his 80’s.

Adib was a man of quiet faith. He did not talk much about his Catholic faith but he lived it every day. This was evident in the way he treated others. Adib touched the lives of many people. He was loved and he will be missed by those who knew him.

Adib is preceded in death by his parents, Raphael and Rose; brother, Habib; sister, Mary; first wife, Marilyn; son, John; daughter, Susan; and infant grandchildren, Thomas and Taylor. He will be remembered with love by his wife, Hiyam; daughter, Rosemary (David); step-daughter, Sasha (Lance); step-son, Tammer; grandchildren, Troy (Amanda), Max, Tyler (Jenn), Megan (Bryan), Jeffrey (Logan), Steele, Ryder, Kais, Nicholas, Erin (Max), and Bailey; great-grandchildren, Bryson, Piper, Logan, Katie, Kendall, and Kennedy; sister-in-law, Mireille; and extended family.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Interment will immediately follow at Valhalla Funeral Home and Memory Gardens.

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