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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Akram Kareem
Akram
Kareem
d. Jun 30, 2026
Akram Kareem's Obituary
Dr Akram Kareem Al Kass Isaac, our beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather and patriarch passed away on June 30th, 2026 in Oviedo, Florida, after a courageous battle with illness and age. He was 90 years old.
He was our quiet strength and our ultimate anchor. Born on October 1, 1935, in Mosul, Iraq, Akram demonstrated extraordinary intellect and determination from an early age. He graduated as the top student in his medical school and went on to complete postgraduate training in Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, and eventually Anesthesia. After immigrating to the United States, he started the family that would become his legacy. He is survived by his three children; Sergeant Laith Kareem (married to Keli Kareem), Doctor Yasmine Kareem, and Captain Errol Kareem who will remember him as a trusted advisor, a generous nurturer, and a sage disciplinarian. He modeled integrity, and taught them dedication and tenacity as evidenced by their titles. Over the course of an illustrious 54 year career in medicine in the greater Chicagoland area, he touched countless lives through his dedication to healing and his unwavering concern for his fellow man.
Upon his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his six grandchildren and further embracing his passion for world travel and culture. He got to share this passion with Devin Kareem, Jaclyn Kareem, Ethan Kareem, Colin Kareem, Evangeline Kareem, and Naila Kareem by taking them to Alsace, France. It was as a grandfather that he cultivated his softer side and embraced laughter. He was often seen kicking a soccer ball, flying a kite and even visiting an amusement park or two during his time in Florida. He was a masterful story teller and actively encouraged imagination.
He was preceded to heaven by his parents Isaac Ismail and Mahi Yousif, and his beloved brothers Adnan Kareem and Kamal Karim. He is also survived by his remaining siblings Suaad Al Sabbagh, Amal Kareem, Jalal Abdul Kareem, Selma Karim Al Kass Isaac, and Lamia Ayyar. They will cherish the memories of his commitment to bringing his family together. Through his generosity he sponsored each of his siblings in their relocation to reunite the family in the United States. He was their big brother, their support, their leader, and their hero.
Because of the firm foundation he has built, our family will stand strong, united and deeply grateful for his guidance and perseverance. Rest in eternal peace.
“Well done, good and faithful servant? You have been loyal and trustworthy with the few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s joy!”
A Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul Syriac Orthodox Church, 8824 Cottonwood Ave, Santee, CA 92071 on Saturday, July 11, 2026 - 11:00am followed by Committal Service at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Dr, San Diego, CA 92102
Eulogy read by Laith Kareem
Thank you all for coming together as we honor the life of my father, Doctor Akram Kareem. He often insisted on being called Doctor, as being a doctor was one of his proudest accomplishments. He was proud of the hard work and dedication it took to achieve this goal. He would often encourage his children to commit to that same level of dedication to achieve our goals. Of course, his hope was that our goals included becoming doctors as well, but he was satisfied to see each of his children achieve their own individual goals using the same determination he instilled in each of us. It was his determination that allowed him to graduate as the top student in his medical school. It was his determination that would have him emigrate to the United State; something he would eventually encourage and support many of his family to follow in his footsteps. And it was this dedication to achieve excellence that allowed him to become one of the most respected and admired doctors within Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. He would often take us to the hospital while he would check on his post-operative patients, and it always seemed that the first spot in the doctor's parking lot was being reserved for him. Another quality he possessed and instilled in his children was his ability to stay calm under pressure. Whether it was to jump into action when one of his children was choking on a grape, or to going about putting stitches into his own thumb when he cut into it with an errant chainsaw. Seeing our father maintain composure under that kind of pressure has allowed us the confidence to know that we can handle anything the world throws at us. But the one attribute that I think you can see in his children is the one I think he has shared with most, if not all of you; and that was his ability to care selflessly for others. Reading through many of the memories that you have posted these past few months about him; Baba will be remembered for his ability to care for each of us. We all have an example of how Akram has helped us at some time in our lives. It is that caring and compassion for others that he has taught each of us. I ask you to take that with you today and share that with those around you as a lasting legacy to my father, Akram Kareem. Rest in Peace Baba. God be with you.
Funeral Services for Akram Kareem
Funeral Service
Saturday
St. Paul Syriac Orthodox Church
Starts at 11:00 am (Pacific time)
Graveside Service
Saturday
Holy Cross Cemetery
12:30 - 1:00 pm (Pacific time)
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