Don Ablah

1932 - 2023

Don Ablah
May 21, 2023
Wichita, Kansas - Don Ablah passed away on May 21, 2023 after a brief illness.
Don was born in Wichita in 1932. He was the third of four children of Lebanese immigrant parents: Frank J. Ablah from whom he inherited his incredible work ethic and Nellie Ablah who gave him the gift of compassion for others.
Don attended Wichita High School East, University of Kansas and graduated from Wichita State University. He then proudly served in the United States Army and that service provided him the opportunity to tour Europe and visit the home of his heritage in Lebanon. Returning home, he went to work for the family business Ablah Hotel Supply, founded by Frank and Harvey Ablah. It was there that he developed his lifelong appreciation for restaurants and their operators. In 1981 he began a long and successful career in commercial real estate. First on his own, then with his brothers and eventually with his sons, he continued to work until a few days before his death at the age of 90.
As a real estate professional, he took a genuine interest in the success and good fortunes of his clients. His career was important to him and was manifested in his love of Wichita and most importantly its people in all walks of life. He never met a stranger, as the saying goes, so whether it was a meeting with a bank president, a young entrepreneur, or just an old acquaintance, every person he encountered was treated with the respect he or she deserved. He was honored by his peers to being named the recipient of the prestigious Walter Morris Broker of The Year award in 2006.
Don had a natural drive to help those less fortunate and their families. He was involved in too many community organizations to mention. He justifiably felt that both his tenure on the Kansas Commission for Civil Rights and his vital role in the Wichita State Speaker Series on Civil Disobedience and Non Violence left legacies that endure to the present day. He found his time working at The Menninger Foundation in Topeka to be very rewarding as well. To commemorate his lifetime body of work in philanthropy he was awarded the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Don married Faith Rahal of Tulsa with whom he spent 62 wonderful years. Don's love for Faith and his entire family was always the center of his life. He would drop anything to lend a hand, large or small, to anyone that needed it. Nothing brightened "Giddo's" day as much as being in the presence of his three granddaughters, Kamilla, Jaida, and Olivia. By listening to members of the family and then applying his quiet, but deep wisdom he encouraged all their endeavors and aspirations. Life lessons were imparted but never forced and were always rooted in his vast array of experiences. He was the most supportive husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle and friend imaginable. He carried himself with a grace, dignity and humility that was an example to all those fortunate enough to know him.
The family wants to thank all those who cared for Don during his last days, most notably the end-of-life team at Wesley Hospital MICU.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nellie Ablah; sister, Lucille Barkett; brother, George Ablah; brother, Amil Ablah; and son in-law, Alan Pulkkila. He is survived by his wife, Faith; children, Rachelle Ware (Jerry), Craig Ablah (Stacey), Christian Ablah (Joy) and Leigh Ann Ablah (Eric); granddaughters, Kamilla Sims, Jaida Sims, and Olivia Ablah, all of Wichita, and Paige Poonthaisong and Kayden Robare; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all of whom were very important to him.
Memorials have been established with: Starkey, Inc., 4500 W. Maple, Wichita, KS 67209; The Wichita State Library Special Collections, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0068; International Orthodox Christian Charities efforts in Syria, 110 West Rd., Ste. 360, Baltimore, MD 21204.
Services for Don were held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 7515 E. 13th St.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com