George Elias Salom

El Paso - George Elias Salom (Jorge Juan Salum), loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and son passed away on May 8, 2021. He was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico on January 4, 1931, son of Hanna and Nacima Salom of Jwaikhat, Syria. Raised in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua he moved to El Paso, Texas with his family in 1946. He honorably served on active duty in the Army of the United States from 1955 to 1957 and the United States Army Reserve from 1957 to 1961. After the death of his father in 1948, he devoted his life to family and work, taking care of his mother, sisters and younger brother. A merchant and brilliant businessman, through dedicated, hard and honest work, he built and founded over his lifetime many successful businesses, among them El Pacifico Inc.; El Atlántico; Texas Fabrics & Foam; Salom Investments; Paso del Norte Broadcasting (KINT-TV); Surety Savings as well as many partnerships and ventures with friends and family. He was a founding member of the Central Business Association, The Downtown Management District, a life-long member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.

George was a man of word and deed, tenacious, stoic, practical and full of wisdom born of experience and love. He was a man of consejos and dichos, among them “it could be worse”, “póngase árabe”, “a fool and his money should never part”, “if you are on time, you are late”. His joy was family, work, a good meal taken with ease, and mariachi music. He loved his adopted country and loved El Paso, always working to make it a better place. He was friend to many, respectful and caring to all. His style was minimal, frugal and elegant. His love for family, both blood and otherwise was boundless, it was his reason for being - that was God’s mission for him. He was ever grateful for what God and life (the fruit of his labor) provided. He taught by example as well as by word. His work and love for family, life and people made countless lives better. An era has come to an end, the patriarch has gone, his legacy will continue to bear fruit, generations of Salom are in his debt.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hanna and Nacima, his siblings Amelia, Martha, Mike and Tony Salom. He is survived by the love of his life of over 66 years, María Esther Salom, his son George Elias Salom, Jr (Wendy), daughter Josephine Salom, grandson Alexander Vincent Salom, and many nieces and nephews.

To all who loved my father, thank you. To his friends, co-workers, business partners, compadres – thank you. Thank you Dr. Muneer Assi and Dr. Edward Assi, and many other doctors and medical staff over the years, to all those who cared for him, loved him as he aged – María Esther Salom, Josephine Salom, Wendy Salom, Christina Rakas, Michelle Brockhaus; tended to him, in particular Yazmin Ayub, Laura Praga, Adriana Alonso Yanar and Jasmine Nunez, God bless you. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, in particular Fr. Fadi Rabbat, Fr. Ron Gonzales SJ, Abbot Christian Leisy OSB and the monks at Monastery of Christ in the Desert.

Pallbearers will be Alexander Díaz, Jesus Nunez, Anthony Joseph Salom, Jesse Anthony Salom Jr, Michael Anthony Salom, Jorge Yanar. Honorary pallbearers include Alexander Vincent Salom, Jesse Salom, Juan Salom, Dr. Carlos Arciniega, Christopher Rakas, Carlos Arciniega, Nathan Salom, Tanny Berg, Elliot Berg, William Brockhaus, Mike Dipp Jr., Meyer Marcus, Jay Armes and Clint Newsom.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with Trisagion at 7:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home West on 128 N. Resler Dr. The Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 at 12:00 noon at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on 120 N. Festival Dr. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery on Alameda. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West.