Theodore Abraham "Ted" Karam

1911 - 2005

Theodore Abraham "Ted" Karam, a sculptor and social worker, died at his home in St. Augustine on June 1, 2005.

He was born on Feb. 14, 1911, in Lebanon, and came to Boston, Mass., in 1933 to join his family and to continue his education. He graduated from Tufts University in 1937, and from the School of Social Work, Boston University, in 1939. He studied sculpture at Boston Museum School, and later at Haystack Mountain School of Art in Maine. He also studied sculpture in France and Japan. While serving in the U.S. Army, he went to the Military Government School in Charlottesville, Va.

During World War II he served as an officer in the U.S. Army, both in the Persian Gulf Command and in Iran in intelligence. He later served in the military government in Nara, Japan, as an officer in charge of public safety welfare and Buddhist temples. He was instrumental in recovering art from hidden caves in mountains and returning the artworks to their rightful places in temples and museums.

Mr. Karam returned to Boston in 1948 and served as director of social work at the Boston Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic. For 30 years he was deeply involved in the fields of health and welfare. His responsibilities included research on aging, education, service to veterans, and in the creative implementation of social and medical innovations with the Veterans Administration and the Boston community at large.

After his retirement from the Veterans Administration in 1971, he came to St. Augustine with his wife, Florence, who died of cancer in 1973.

He was called upon to establish the Council on Aging on a professional basis in 1973. He served as president of the Council on Aging for two terms, and on the Board of Directors for 12 years.

Later, he founded the St. Augustine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. He taught sculpture for five years at the Florida Community College at Jacksonville Southside Gallery. He exhibited his works for many years at the St. Augustine Art Association, and he won many honors for his sculpture.

He is survived by his brother, Charles Karam, of Margate, Florida, and by many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for July 30, 2005, at Mr. Karam's home on Water Street in St. Augustine. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Karam's name made to St. Johns County Council on Aging, the St. Augustine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, or Hospice of Northeast Florida are suggested.

PAID NOTICE

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