Amil Yacoob

Amil Yacoob, 51, of Houston, Texas, passed away Friday March 10, 2023, after a long, brave battle with ALS. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by family at his childhood home in Upland, California.

Amil was born on May 23, 1971, in Linden, British Guyana, in South America. Amil spent his early childhood years enjoying a carefree life playing in the Guyanese rainforest where his father Mohammed Yacoob served as a high-ranking military official. When he was 13, Amil’s family relocated to Upland, Southern California, the place Amil considered his real “hometown.” Amil was a bright and studious young man who excelled in English and the sciences. He held jobs and continued working while he received his education from the early age of 14. He began working at Long’s Drugs during high school and continued his work there for 11 years throughout college and graduate school. He recalled his many years at Long’s with great fondness. Amil attended Upland High School, and went on to graduate from the University of California-Riverside with Honors with a BS in Biochemistry. He then enrolled in the Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Laverne, graduating with Honors. Amil enjoyed visiting Alaska, camping, fly-fishing, and his greatest passion of all, sleeping in as late as possible. Just like his father “Buddy Coobs,” Amil absolutely loved music, especially George Michael, Reggae and Bob Marley. He loved watching professional sports, mostly NBA basketball. His favorite team was the LA Lakers and of course his favorite player of all time was Kobe Bryant.

Amil worked for many years in the tech and medical sales industry, continuing his climb up the corporate ladder until he was eventually promoted to management with Abbott Laboratories in 2006. He was transferred to their headquarters and moved from sunny California to snowy Chicago, Illinois- a shock to the South-American-turned Southern California boy. In 2008 while working in Chicago, Amil met the love of his life Lauren Campbell, a resident physician in training in Chicago, on a blind date. Amil and Lauren dated for two years, moved to Lauren’s hometown of Houston, Texas, and married in 2011.

Over the next few years, Amil and Lauren welcomed three beautiful boys: Benjamin Amil in 2013, Alexander Jeffrey in 2014, and Nicholas Layne in 2018. Amil stayed home for a time to help raise their boys, then in 2016 he helped Lauren start her successful dermatology practice and was instrumental in helping to run it for the 6 years until his passing. Amil did his best to keep working and help Lauren keep the practice going even through the difficult circumstances of his illness.

Amil’s sons were the lights of his life. He had never envisioned himself having three boys, and he couldn’t believe his good fortune. He was so proud of his beautiful boys and Amil and his children loved each other with all of their hearts. There was nothing in his life that had ever given him so much joy. The thing that saddened Amil the most was having to leave his boys behind.

The Yacoob-Campbell family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all of the medical professionals who helped us during this incredibly difficult time, especially with the ALS Center at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, and his hospice teams in both Houston and Upland. And to all the numerous caregivers who helped Amil during this ordeal, you will never know how much your kindness and patience meant to us. ALS is an under-researched and under-funded disease that affects tens of thousand of Americans. The researchers and physicians, nurses, and other professionals who devote their careers to helping those with ALS and their families are some of the most amazing and caring people in the world. We extend our deepest sympathies to any families dealing with this horrific disease. Those who have never seen it up close can’t truly understand the pressure and pain this condition afflicts upon its sufferers and those closest to them.

Amil is survived by his three beloved sons Ben, 9, Alex, 8, and Nico, 4, and his wife Lauren, and his mother Seeta Yacoob, all of Houston. He is preceded in death by his beloved father Mohammed Yacoob, and his only brother Yusuf “Spanky” Yacoob. He is also survived by his niece Mayah Yacoob and his nephew “Coobie” Yacoob, both of whom he was so proud. Amil had numerous lifelong friends and extended whom he deeply loved and would never forget.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at the Massachusetts General Hospital, c/o Dr. Merit Cudkowicz. 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Yacoob-Campbell family.