Abdul "Raymond" Karim

Abdul R. Karim was born "Raymond Green" to Jimmie and Artince Green on October 28,1945 in Martinez, Ca. He was the youngest of six living children. In search of a better life, the Green family moved from Texarkana Arkansas to Central California in the early 1940's where his father found work with the Pacific Railroad. The family settled in Spence (a railroad camp) just outside Salinas, California living there for 8 years until they moved into the city of Salinas in 1953. Raymond attended the Salinas school system but received his GED after he joined the Job Corps in 1965 at Tongue Point, Oregon. Raymond was a member of the Royal Family Church of God in Christ in Salinas under the pastorage of Elder Herman Simpson. His mother was a charter member since 1947. Few people knew that Raymond could sing, but he had a good voice and loved singing in the youth choir. One of his favorite songs was to sing as child was "He is Mine." Later, during the turmoil of the civil rights movement of the 60's/70's he became a Muslim under the teachings of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. He then changed his name to Abdul Karim in accordance to his new faith. Upon the passing of Muhammad Abdul continued his faith outside the Nation. However, everyone still calls him Raymond. In the early 60's Raymond followed his older brothers to Compton to look for work. For a time, he worked for the Compton Water department before joining the Job Corps. In 1965 while on a brief visit back home to Salinas; Raymond met a young lady named Allene Huston through a mutual friend. Allene had come from Ohio with her cousin/chaperone to attend Hartnell College. While Raymond returned to Job Corps, Allene began to attend the Royal Family Church of God in Christ and met his mother, Artince. Raymond's mother took Allene under her wing as a mother figure. When Allene was ready to move to Southern California to continue her education Mama Green took it upon herself to make sure she would be with a good Christian family, so she made arrangements for her to stay in Long Beach, Ca with Raymond's oldest sisters' family, James and Bea Neuble and their 4 children at the time, Rita, Jimmy, Kathy and Michael. Around 1967 Raymond returned from the Job Corp and of course Mama Green and her gentle guiding hand made sure Allene was right where he could find her. They began dating, and on March 2, 1968, they were married at the Long Beach Courthouse. They were blessed with 3 sons, Jeffery A., Shah J., and Tariq M. and ultimately 4 grandsons Kavon, Shah Jr, Kenneth, and Kendell who he was extremely proud of. He called them his Super Duper Stars. Raymond wanting to secure his family financially, became employed by the City of Long Beach as a custodian for the city parks. He was later hired by Los Angeles County Department of Health Service working first at Long Beach General Hospital in Food Service. Then he was transferred to Harbor UCLA Med Center and worked in Dietary. From there Raymond moved on to Supervise the Pathology Lab Procurement staff (ordering all the hospital lab supplies.) From that position he moved to Materials Management Supervisor (ordering all hospital supplies.) He retired from this position (after 35 years of service) in 2007. Raymond especially enjoyed cooking, taking fishing trips out of the Long Beach port, listening to the Blues, R&B, Gospel and Country western music. He also loved to dance. Watching National Geographic shows to learn about animals, plants, and nature was favorite past time as well, Raymond would say "it reminded him of growing up in Spence." He also loved the old '60 sitcoms and was a true sci-fi/Star Trek fan. Additionally, he enjoyed being a Boy Scout leader when the boys were young. He loved dogs and always had a faithful one by his side: Old Butch, Brownie, Rhubarb, Lady, and the dreaded Sheba, who took master loyalty to the limits. In the last few years Raymond really looked forward to and enjoyed going on our dear friends annual "Cash Family Vacations" where we visited several of the Caribbean Islands. The last trip was pre-pandemic and really special for him because we included our sons and daughter in law for a 7-day cruise. During the pandemic, Raymond revisited his love for working with and designing leather products. He made several items but his pride and joy was a 4 pictorial panel set depicting his beloved Spence Railroad camp life. Raymond was preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Allen Karim, his parents, Jimmie and Artince Green and his brother, Jessie Green. Raymond will be greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Allene E. Karim, sons, Shah (Lori) Karim and Tariq M. Karim. Grandsons: Kavon Green, Shah Jr., Kenneth Douglas, and Kendell Jeffery. Two brothers Sylvester (Kathleen) Green of Carson, Ca., James "Joe" (Janice) Green, Compton, CA, 2 sisters, Lessie B. Neuble of Compton, Ca., and Willa Mae Robinson-Smith of North Carolina. A sister-in-law Margaret Huston of Houston, TX and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Long Beach, California.