The family of Raymond Martin Garnem of Mountain Brook, Alabama, is saddened to announce his passing on August 22, 2021 at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Josephine Garnem, and his brother Joseph Elias Garnem. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sonia Garnem; his daughters Claudette Garnem Aboujaoude (Paul) and Rania Garnem; his grandchildren, Michael Aboujaoude, Gabriella Aboujaoude, and Pascale Boackle (Leon); his brother Antwan Garnem (Zmorrod) and nieces Theresa Garnem, Lilian Anthony (Emil), and Jacqueline Semaan (Rami); his Aunt Juliette Zaidan (Joe); his in-laws, Samia Michael, Joseph Aboujaoude (Ziza), Nadia Aboujaoude, Bernadette Atieh, and Jacques Aboujaoude (Sylvia), and many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was also known as Gido (which means Grandfather in Lebanese).
Raymond came from Lebanon to the United States as a college student and attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). It was UAB where he obtained a Civil Engineering Degree. After obtaining his degree, he worked at Southern Company in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. He helped solve the problem that caused the Three Mile Island accident. He was one of the first founding members of the UAB soccer team. He was a Lifetime Member of the American Member of Civil Engineers. He received multiple awards for Outstanding Achievement from Gulf Power and Southern Company. He was a very talented and extraordinary Civil Engineer. Not only was he talented, but Civil Engineering was his passion. He worked until the day he was hospitalized.
He was very active in his church, St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church. He was on several committees at his church, a member of the choir, and helped with the Food Festival since it started 23 years ago. He was a member of the Order of St. Sharbel and a member of the Phoenician and Cedars Club of Birmingham, where he served in many office positions over the years. His hobby was gardening. In his younger years, he was a great soccer and tennis player and played on numerous teams. He was always ready to welcome and help people no matter what. He never met a stranger. He loved his family, his church, and his Alabama football team, Roll Tide Raymond. The Funeral arrangement shall be on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church at 836 8th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205. Due to COVID concerns, there will be a Rosary at 10:00 am for family with a Funeral Liturgy Mass for family and friends at 10:30 am, followed by a Burial Service at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations to St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, St. Elias Sponsor of a Lebanese Family, or St. Jude.