Name: Visitation for Sama'an Albir Tarsha
Start: 2014-09-21T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2014-09-22T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Laurel Land Memorial Chapel

Sama'an Albir Tarsha, age 74, passed away on his 53rd wedding anniversary, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 3314 Dryden Road, Fort Worth. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park of Fort Worth. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Laurel Land Memorial Chapel with rosary at 7 p.m. Memorials: In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to House of Hope in Crowley, crowleyhouseofhope.org; American Diabetes Association; or UNICEF.org. Sama'an was born March 25, 1940, in Jerusalem, Palestine, before the war. He had a genius IQ, with a compassionate heart that never turned away a person in need. He loved to socialize and tell stories and never met a stranger, making everyone he met feel like a lifelong friend. Mr. Tarsha came to the United States in 1959 as a student of TCU, studying physics in mathematics in 1964 and received a teaching certification in 1965. He received a master of sciences of applied mathematics in 1976 while working as an aerospace engineer for General Dynamics in 1976, as the F-16 Fighter Development Special Project engineer. Sama'an Tarsha ventured into entrepreneurship by opening his own restaurant in the 1970s and named it the Rig Restaurant. In 1981, he moved the Rig Restaurant to its current location on Highway 35 where it is still a popular family restaurant today. In 1988, he was the partner and co-inventor of seven United States patents, to renovate existing pipelines worldwide, technologies still utilized to this day. Sama'an was preceded in death by a grandson, Connor. Survivors: His wife of 53 years, Janis; son, Albir; daughters, Carolyn, Maria and Adrianna; grandchildren, Megan, Mary, Ginger, Evelyn, Peter, Trey, Marilyn, Antonio, Janel, Nicholas, Isabella and Sama'an; and five great-grandchildren.

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Published by Star-Telegram on Sep. 20, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Sama'an Tarsha

Sponsored by the Star-Telegram.

22 Entries

Naz Smith

December 21, 2024

I know it has been 10 years since he dies, but he was very king to me. And his son Albir was my best friend.

October 3, 2014

My Dear Jan,
Please accept my empathy for your devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I was so very fortunate in working with you both and sharing a friendship. Watching your love mature into a strong and loving family unit with the arrival of your children was a heartwarming experience.

Simon's knowledge of cultures and world events ensured a fascinating conversation and expanded my world vision. The privilege of experiencing the exotic foods and coffees of their culture prepared in your home when his parents visited, and speaking with Simon's father are memories I shall always cherish.

Those of us fortunate enough to have known this unique man recognized the knowledge and skill ensuring his success as an entrepreneur. Thank you for the memories. He will be missed by many.
Chris Russell

Thomas McPherson

September 23, 2014

Our deepest condolence to the Tarsha family. Our prayers are with you.

September 22, 2014

An amazing individual who's contribution to the community is surpassed only by the love and compassion he had for his family. Prayers of comfort and healing are on the way to his family.

Bea Record

September 22, 2014

So Sorry for your loss. Prayers that you will be comforted in your hour of grief.

Christopher L. Sutton

September 22, 2014

Janis, Albir, Carolyn, Maria and Adrianna,

News of Simon's passing has reached me only today. I am greatly saddened.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and warmest regards.

Simon was a great man and a good friend...and I too shall miss him greatly.

September 22, 2014

Sana'ab will surely be missed. He was a good friend to myself as an entertainer/singer at Rig Saloon for the past 25 years or so. I remember having conversations with him about physics. He was a fascinating, intelligent individual with an easy manner and giving nature. We love him and will miss him. Blessings and prayers to his family. Sherry Windom Fontaine

Johnny Tarsha

September 22, 2014

Our prayers and thoughts are with cousins Janice, Queeny, Suheil, Samir, Albir, Alicia, Angie and Adrianna. May God rest his soul in eternal
peace and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Simon a great cousin who was loved by all the Tarsha family as he also loved his family.
Johnny Nimeh and Maroun Tarsha

Sam Besase

September 22, 2014

Condolences to our Dallas area relatives from Toledo Ohio Tarsha's.

Jason and Christina Schmitz

September 21, 2014

Thinking of you, Angie and Charles and the children. What a beautiful person he was. I know he will be greatly missed by everyone blessed enough to have known him. May God bless and watch over you all.

September 21, 2014

Our prayers and thoughts are with cousins Janice, Queeny, Suheil, Samir, Albir, Alicia, Angie, Adrianna. Eternal rest grant unto cousin Sama'an, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Ada, Joe, Najib and Denise Albina.

Tiffany Higgins (McMillan)

September 21, 2014

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Simon was always such a thoughtful man, both of my boys have fond memories of him.

September 21, 2014

He sounds like a very wonderful man, Angie. So sorry for you and your family's loss.

Michael Cross

September 21, 2014

Simon and his family were always so very kind to me. I was only one of many lives touched by this man. His passing will leave an empty space for us all.

Norma Gatlin

September 21, 2014

Simon, you will be missed by all who knew you.. You were the 'Gentle Giant'...the 'Godfather' who brought inspiration, motivation, heartfelt, kind words, to whom paths you crossed... My best friend, my boss. Shall always carry wonderful memories in my heart. You are my brother in God's name, you shall forever remain. Much love to the "Great Tarsha Family...

September 21, 2014

Janis, Albir, Alicia, Angie, Adrianna, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Your father will be surely missed. May he rest in peace. Love, Maureen Duey (Walsh)

September 21, 2014

Our sincere condolences to the Tarsha family on the loss of a good man and friend. Rest in peace Simon. Joaquin & Angela Garcia

Simon, great-grandson Sage, daughter Adrianna, grand-daughter Ginger - at Sage's Christening 06.03.2012

Jaina Ford

September 20, 2014

Barry Hoffman

September 20, 2014

Dear Janis, Albir, Alicia, Angie and Adriana - I was very saddened when I heard the news of the passing of Sama'an. Sama'an was a friend and mentor to me for many years at an early age. By word and example he taught me so much about working hard, the importance of family and friends and not taking yourself too seriously. So many memories of him and all of you guys have a special place in my heart. My love and prayers go out to all of you.

Tony Tarsha

September 20, 2014

God bless you cousin Sama'an. You were a big person in many ways. You will be greatly missed by family and friends. May you rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to the Tarsha family in the US
Janis; Albir; Carolyn, Maria and Adrianna; Megan, Mary, Ginger, Evelyn, Peter, Trey, Marilyn, Antonio, Janel, Nicholas, Isabella and Sama'an and to Queeny, Manuel, and Samir Tarsha

From Tony, Nelly, Simon and Adla Tarsha

Ronnie Elizabeth Erbst

September 20, 2014

It was an honor to be friends with such a humble man. You will be missed.

Peggy Lasater

September 20, 2014

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father, Carolyn. Your family and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you, Peggy.

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