Hasham Paul Khoury

Hasham Paul Khoury COLUMBIA Hasham Paul Khoury passed away May 16, 2012 at his home in Columbia, surrounded by his loving family. Born July 22, 1916, he was the 3rd of 5 children, and the last surviving child of the late Norman Paul Khoury and Zakiah Asmer Khoury who both emigrated from Lebanon in the early 1900s. He grew up in Columbia, graduated from St. Peter's Catholic High School, and attended the University of South Carolina until he had to leave to help support his family's business during the Great Depression. He answered the call of patriotism by entering the United States Army and served his country during World War II as part of the Greatest Generation, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He had an important part to play during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, and received an honorable discharge in 1945. After the war, he returned to the family business and became sole owner of the successful Dixie Super Market on Assembly Street. He married Rosalie Ann Sabbagha Khoury in his parish church on September 27, 1949. They were married for 49 years and raised seven children. Mr. Khoury was devoted all his life to his parish church. He served as leader of the church board for many years, and earned the 4th degree knighthood in the Knights of Columbus. He contributed his time, treasure and efforts during the many renovations of the church including the donation of the main altar and the restoration of the Stations of the Cross. He was a member of the parish adult choir. In his community, he served on the Board of Directors of the Oliver Gospel mission for over 20 years and was president of the Syrian-Lebanese Society. Mr. Khoury was devoted to God, his family and his community and will be remembered for his compassion and generosity for those in need. Those he felt privileged to serve will dearly miss him. Mr. Khoury loved life and lived for his children. He believed in the wealth of education and made it his priority to put all his children through college and beyond. He allowed them to live their dreams, encouraging and supporting them in every way he could, sacrificing daily with hard work. They will miss his pearls of wisdom on which they depended and cherished. He will be remembered for his unconditional love for each of his children, his devotion to his wife, his love of his heritage, and his spirited sense of humor. Surviving are his children Norman Paul Khoury, MD and his wife, Julia Merchant Khoury, Linda Annette Khoury, Edward Joseph Khoury, George Hasham Khoury, MD and his wife, Julianne Harrell Khoury, (and their three children George, Andrew, and Zachary); Paula Miriam Khoury and her husband, John Todd Helgeson (and their children Kathleen Helgeson Gasikowski and her husband, Jeff Gasikowski, and Maria Helgeson), John Anthony Khoury, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews. Serving as active pallbearers will be Leon Khoury, Jr., George Calcanes, Peter Shahid, Michael Younginer, Andrew Demos, and David Baker. Honorary pallbearers will be Deno Siokos, John Abdalla, Paul Joseph, Skeet Mack, Stan Papajohn, and Chickory Sabbagha. He was preceded in death by his sixth child Diana Barbara Khoury and his wife Rosalie Ann Khoury. Donations in lieu of flowers may be offered to St. Peter's Catholic Church Music Ministry. The rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street Chapel, Columbia, SC. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 19th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Church on Assembly St. in Columbia, SC. Farewell Prayers & Commendations immediately following the Mass at St. Peter's Cemetery on Elmwood Columbia, SC. A reception for the family will immediately follow in St. Peter's Church Hall attached to the Church. Please sign online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.