Dr. Louis James Naman DMD

Dr. Naman is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Marsha Blaize Naman; his five children, Edmond George Naman (Marcelle), Helen Naman McDaniel (Huey), Andrea “Dee Dee” Naman Hand (Steve), Marcia Naman Luckie (Stuart), and Regina “Gina” Naman McPhillips (Jeff); and his sister, Mabel Naman Elias.

He is also survived by his fourteen grandchildren, Lauren Luckie-Merz (Gabby), Blaize Naman, Stuart Luckie (Lexi), Mary Ashley Hand, Abigail McPhillips, Stephen Hand, Jack Luckie, Mathilde Naman Laville (Thomas), William McPhillips, Elizabeth Hand, Louis Hand, Mitchell Luckie, Matthew McPhillips, and Cameron McDaniel; his two great-grandchildren, Michael Luckie and Celi Luckie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Naman and Helen Zoghby Naman, and nine siblings: Elizabeth, Joseph, Amelia, Emile, Alfred, Alec, Doris, Anthony, and Eloise.

Born on January 1, 1929, in Brewton, Alabama, to Lebanese immigrants George and Helen Naman, Louis was one of eleven children. Growing up in a large, close-knit family, he developed the values of faith, family, hard work, education, dedication and service that would remain central to the way he lived.

His deep devotion to his faith began at an early age when he served as an altar server for The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception. As a teenager, he volunteered to mow the lawn at the Carmelite Monastery, beginning a lifelong relationship with the Carmelite Sisters. Years later, he set up a dental chair for the Sisters in their convent and served as their dentist for the remainder of his career. Dr. Naman also volunteered to serve as the dentist for many clergy members throughout the diocese and the children of St. Mary’s Home for several decades.

Louis attended McGill Institute in Mobile, where he played football and began a lifelong connection with the school and its community. He later attended Spring Hill College, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry. While at Spring Hill, he served as president of Sigma Alpha Kappa Fraternity. He continued his studies at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1956. While there, he served as president of Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity.

Following dental school, Dr. Naman was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Dental Corps, where he served as a dental officer with the Third Marine Division and Fleet Marine Force. His military service included rotating dental assignments at U.S. Naval Hospitals in Charleston, South Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; and Japan, and on the beaches of Okinawa, where he set up emergency medical field hospitals. Dr. Naman later served as a dental officer for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center in Mobile. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1962 and continued to serve in The United States Navy Reserve, never separating from service.

In July 2026, his military service was recognized in a particularly meaningful way when Dr. Naman and his brother, Anthony (Tony) Naman, were presented with Quilts of Valor in recognition of their service and sacrifice. It was a special moment for the brothers and their family and a fitting tribute to their shared commitment to country and community.

For 66 years, Louis was blessed to have his wife Marsha by his side. Beautiful and gracious, with an endearing personality, she has a gift for making everyone feel welcome and for bringing people together. Louis often said that Marsha’s love and support brought him to places he never dreamed. She was the reason for so much of what he accomplished. Marsha is an essential part of the life and legacy they built together.

Dr. Naman built an extraordinary career in dentistry. He, along with 11 other dentists around the world, pioneered implant dentistry and he became an internationally recognized leader in the field. He served as President of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the Chairman of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Research Foundation. He also was a founder and served as president of the Alabama Implant Study Group.

Throughout his career, Dr. Naman achieved some of the most prestigious distinctions in his profession: Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology; Fellow and Master of the Academy of General Dentistry; Fellow and Master of the Academy for Implants and Transplants; Fellow of the International College of Oral Implantology; and Honored Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Among his many professional honors, Dr. Naman received the Aaron Gershkoff Memorial Award in 1998 and the Isiah Lew Memorial Research Award in 1999, the highest honor bestowed by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. His professional affiliations included the American Dental Association, Mobile Area Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and numerous other dental and implant organizations.

Education and mentorship were an important part of Dr. Naman’s professional life. He served on the lecture faculty of the Howard University Oral Implantology Maxi-Course and on the Implant Maxi-Course Faculty at the Medical College of Georgia. He presented lectures and seminars at universities and dental societies nationally and abroad and was appointed an Associate Professor at Vilnius University School of Dentistry in Lithuania. Through his teaching, leadership, and mentorship, he helped educate and influence generations of dental professionals. His accomplishments were recognized by the schools and community that helped shape his life.

Dr. Naman was inducted into the McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Hall of Fame and was the honored recipient of the Gautrelet Award, given to an outstanding alumnus by Spring Hill College.

Dr. Naman also had a lifelong love for Mobile Mardi Gras. He was actively involved in three mystic societies and Carnival traditions and paraded for more than sixty years.

Dr. Naman leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service: to his family, country, profession, students, patients, and community. To the dental profession, he was a pioneer, teacher, mentor, and leader. To his country, he was a dedicated Naval officer. To his community, he was a respected dentist and servant leader. But to those who knew and loved him most, he was Louis, a devoted husband, father, grandfather (Giddy), great-grandfather, brother, and patriarch of a large and loving family.

His life and faith were deeply rooted in his devotion to The Holy Spirit. His remarkable legacy will live on through the generations of his family and through the countless lives he touched along the way. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” - Matthew 25:23.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama, with the Rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36609. Interment will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Carmelite Monastery of Mobile, 716 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36606 or Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6300 McKenna Dr, Mobile, AL 36608. Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.