Joseph D. Karam

June 26 1928 - April 14 2017

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Photo Of Joseph Karam
Family and friends are asked to meet at the Church for his funeral Mass. Procession to cemetery to leave at 2 p.m.

Visitation :

John Quint Treboni Funeral Home
Wednesday April 19th 2017 12-3 and 5-8 p.m.

1177 W. 5th Avenue
Columbus Ohio 43212

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Services:

Rosary
Wednesday April 19th 2017 at 7:45 pm

John Quint Treboni Funeral Home
1177 W. 5th Avenue
Columbus , Ohio 43212

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Funeral Mass
Thursday April 20th 2017 at 10:00 am

St. Andrew Catholic Church
1899 McCoy Road
Columbus , Ohio 43220

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Obituary

Joseph D. Karam, age 88, died on Good Friday, April 14, 2017, surrounded by his family. Born June 26, 1928, in Washington, Pennsylvania, the youngest of nine children born to Elias and Tarooze (Khoury) Karam. He graduated from Holy Rosary High School in 1946; graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's of arts in 1955, and a Juris Doctor degree in June, 1957. Joseph entered the U. S. Army in December 1950, and served as forward observer in the infantry in Korea with the 5th Regimental Combat Team. He was promoted to First Sergeant and received the Silver Star for his courageous action in the battle near Paeson-Gol on October 9, 1951. He was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for heroic action in Sangnyong-Dong, November 28, 1951 and honorably discharged in September, 1952. He married Louise Ruth George on November 19, 1955. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together and Louise remained at his bedside in passing. Joseph was one of the founders of the Lebanese-Syrian American Club of Columbus (Club El-Waten) and served as its president in 1947-48. He was elected governor of the Lebanese-Syrian Club of Ohio in 1949-50. He served as assistant attorney general, chief, tax section, Ohio Attorney General's Office 1960-64. Appointed by Governor Gilligan and served as a member of the Ohio Board of Psychology 1970-75. He was a member of the Columbus and Ohio Bar associations and practiced law for 25 years. Retired from active practice to serve as chairman of Cedar Enterprises, Inc., a Wendy's franchise organization operating in Las Vegas, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Hartford, Seattle, Springfield (MA) and Vancouver, British Columbia. Joseph was a member, board of governors of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis (TN), founded by the late comedian, Danny Thomas, and served as a fundraiser since 1957. He was chairman of the National Convention of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Columbus (1970) and Las Vegas, Nevada (1996). His greatest honor was being named "Proud Beggar" by Danny Thomas. He is survived by his widow, Louise; children, Lisa (William) Khourie, J. David (Lisa) Karam, Suzanne (Robert) Meyers and James M. (JoAnn) Karam; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Florence Baker; plus many nieces, nephews and relatives. His family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 12-3 and 5-8 p.m., at the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus. Family and friends are asked to gather at 10:00 a.m., at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Road at Reed Road (Upper Arlington), for his funeral Mass on Thursday, April 20, 2017. A Mercy Meal will follow the Mass. The funeral procession to St. Joseph Cemetery for burial with U. S. Army Military Honors will depart St. Andrew at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be made St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (envelopes available at the funeral home). Condolences may be made via www.johnquint.com.


Contributions

Contributions may be directed to any of the following

Condolences for Joseph D. Karam


From : Ron and Verna Fisher
To : Karam Family
Date: April 16th 2017

Joseph was a very dear friend to us and our family. I always enjoyed stopping in at his office to visit and listen to how the family was doing. He was very proud of all of you. God bless you at this time, for he is greatly missed.

From : Bernard (Buzz) Kanter
To : Louise Karam
Date: April 17th 2017

My condolence to the family and especially to Louise. I attended law school with Joe and I have many memories and fondly remember seeing him many times at the school and received kisses on both cheeks as his way of greeting me. I am very sorry that I will not be able to attend. Buzz Kanter
From : John Bowden
To : Karam Family
Date: April 17th 2017

My condolences on Joe's passing. I will be out of town and unable to attend his services but wanted to express my sympathies. I knew Joe through Wendy's and can say that he was truly one of the great (and unique) members of those early franchisees. God bless you all in your time of sorrow.
From : Connie McCalla
To : Karam
Date: April 17th 2017

It was my pleasure to get to know Mr. Karam several years ago through the WCOL radiothon to raise money for St. Jude's. Through him, I went to work there for a couple of years and have fully supported them. He will be greatly missed.
From : John & Sharee Barker
To : David, Jim and Family
Date: April 18th 2017

David & Jim:
Our deepest sympathy to the Karam family. Joe's contributions to the Wendy's family and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption are truly special. God bless.
John & Sharee Barker
From : Steve and Diana Farrar
To : The Karam Family
Date: April 18th 2017

Dear David and Family,
We are saddened to hear this news. I came to know Joe well in the early days of Wendy's, during a difficult time in the Brand's history. He treated me with respect and kindness during my visits to the Las Vegas market. He impressed me with his savvy common sense and dry wit. His legacy will live on in the terrific family that he sired, and I know he will be watching from Heaven with pride in the family as it carries on his values, and builds upon his accomplishments. He was a patriot and a contributor to his friends, the Wendy's Brand, his community and our nation. Our sincerest condolences, Steve and Diana Farrar
From : John and Mona Atala
To : the Karam Family and Friends
Date: April 19th 2017

God rest his soul and give the loved ones the courage to overcome. Joe will be greatly missed at OLOL Mission in Columbus.
From : John & Lory Nader
To : Karam Family
Date: April 19th 2017

Joseph will be missed greatly. Our thoughts, love and prayers go out to the family. Rest in Peace Joseph.
From : Dick Lumpe
To : Karam Family
Date: April 19th 2017

Sorry for your loss. Joe ,as you know, was a unique person who dearly loved his family. I had many fun filled visits with Joe , both in person and by phone. I will keep all of you in my prayers and masses will and have been said for him. From a Rosary alum, and brow beaten St Jude football pool friend. God Bless you all!
From : Jack and Noony Malone
To : David, Lisa, Suzanne and the family
Date: April 19th 2017

To Lisa, Suzanne, David and the entire Karam family. Noony and I send our deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of your father. He left us and anyone he met, I suspect, a strong impression of the man he was: in his faith and his love for his family. We were blessed to have known him and trust he has earned his eternal reward. We pray that you rest in the comfort of God's love and compassion.
Love Jack and Noony
From : M/M Steven Saliba & Family
To : Karam Family
Date: April 21st 2017

Our sincerest condolences to the entire Karam family. Kara, the kids, and I will cherish our many talks with Amo Joseph at the Our Lady of Lebanon mission. May his Memory be Eternal!
From : Mary Beth Thomas
To : Aunt Louise and the Karam Family
Date: May 4th 2017

Dear Aunt Louise,

As you know, you and Uncle Joe and the entire Karam family were integral in my and my family's life. Moving to Texas separated us geographically but not in ongoing regard and love. My father Bob Thomas loved Joe deeply and I smile when I think of them together now. What a match! Fondest regards, Mary Beth and all of the Thomas children.
From : Carol Wylie Jones
To : Karam Family
Date: July 28th 2017

Dear Karam Family, When I was 19 years old (1964), I had the good fortune to be referred to Mr. Karam by a psychologist who worked at the Children's Mental Health Center. My family lived in Ft Wayne, Indiana, but I was a freshman at Ohio State in Columbus. At the end of my freshman year, I went home to spend the quarter break with my family. Sad to say, my father committed suicide a few days after I arrived home. I was left with a very ill mother and 3 younger siblings. Knowing that I had to continue my studies at Ohio State and care for my family, I moved my remaining family to Columbus. We were all very distraught. I decided that we all needed some guidance, so I took everyone to the Children's Mental Health Center. There I was assigned to a psychologist who had the wisdom to see that my family needed a lot of support. In addition to the counseling, my psychologist arranged for me to meet Mr. Karam. He was like an angle sent from heaven to help me! He provided the legal direction I needed to keep my family together, and still continue my studies at OSU. He was a kind, generous man. I know he has received a gold star in heaven!