Jamil N. Barbar

October 11, 1937-September 28, 2024

With a broken heart we announce that our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Jamil Barbar, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. Jamil dedicated his life to service of others through education, touching the lives of many generations with his unyielding work ethics, passion for life, and charming personality.

Jamil grew up in one of the few remaining Aramaic communities, serving as an altar boy at the Syriac Orthodox Church speaking several languages including one that is nearly extinct today. After finishing high school, he left his native home to pursue higher education and a self-made life in Beirut, Lebanon, becoming a high school principal by the age of 23. He served as Principal at the Christian Teaching Institute and later at Nahda High School in Beirut, and taught mathematics at the Lebanese Evangelical School for Boys and Girls and at the British Blind School. Even though he had chances to immigrate earlier in the war, he felt that his mission was to stay in Lebanon, enduring the worst of the civil war.

He left Lebanon in 1991 seeking better opportunities for his younger children and to be close to his older children who were pursuing higher education in Portland, OR. He was not daunted by starting out again in a new place but used his talents and passion for teaching to adapt very quickly to a new culture. He was loved by students and their parents at Portland Christian High School until his retirement in 2006. He viewed teaching as a mission rather than a job. Jamil’s teaching philosophy was encapsulated by his motto: “More Practice + Patience + Hard Work + Love = Perfection.”

Apart from his professional life, Jamil was an avid gardener, and enjoyed going on walks, making kebabs and hosting large gatherings. His garden flourished with all kinds of Mediterranean vegetables and fruits from artichokes to persimmons, grapes, and figs.

Jamil has recently celebrated the 62nd anniversary of his marriage to Helen (Hayek,) the love of his life and together shared his commitment to service, teaching and raising 5 children: Johnny Barbar (Nora) and their children Jamil, Lynn, Eddie; Elisar Barbar (Michael Hare) and their daughters Mary, Wendy; Gabriel Barbar and his daughter Tessa (Richard Thackrey); Sami Barbar (Molly) and their daughters Emma, Elle; and Georgio Barbar. He was preceded in death by four sisters, one brother, and is survived by his brother John Barbar of Wichita, Kansas.

A celebration of Jamil’s life will be held at OutAzaBlue venue in Gales Creek, with the exact date to be announced later, where friends, family, and former students can share memories of a life lived to the fullest that was a testament to the power of God and education in building strong communities. A zoom link will be provided.

Our father was our hero, a role model in his passion for life and love of God, country, and family. He will be forever in our hearts.