This memorial website was created in honor of Karim Dawood Khamarko.
Our beloved husband, father and grandfather
Karim Dawood Khamarko was born in Telkaif, Iraq on May 2, 1946. He was one of nine brothers and sisters to Dawood and Habbaye Khamarko. He immigrated to the Detroit area in 1974 and became an entrepreneur. He owned businesses for 35 years, starting from a party store to video stores and ending with a dollar store. His ultimate goal was to provide for his family.
On July 25, 1976 he married the love of his life, Aida, and they had five children together. The two of them were inseparable; they were together morning, noon and night. Aida was everything to him; they had the kind of love that people admired. Even though his life was cut short, they enjoyed 34 wonderful years of happiness together.
Karim was a man of great wisdom, patience and strength. He made his family feel protected at all times. He was a responsible man and a great role model. He truly defined the meaning of a “man” and his legacy will live forever.
Karim was a wonderful husband, the best dad and a loving grandfather. He had a heart of gold and would do anything to help others. He enjoyed making barbeque dinners, gardening, fixing things around the house and most of all playing with his grandsons. His grandchildren had a special place in his heart and were his pride and joy. The boys looked forward to their weekend sleepovers at Jido and Nana’s house. They always filled the home with love and laughter, once the boys would leave Karim always felt the house was empty without them. His grandchildren brought so much happiness to his life.
Karim had a smile that would light up any room, especially at our Arabo gatherings. He will be missed deeply for our Tuesday night dinners with his wife, kids and grandsons. The memories we have will last us a lifetime, but we will always wish we had more.
Karim has enriched the lives of many and loved being surrounded by his friends. His friends were like family and some of his happiest times were spent with them at Nadi (club). He will always be a lifelong friend and it is a shame his life had to come to an end. Karim will truly be admired and adored by many.
On November 26, 2010, Karim had to leave us; his life here on earth was through. He lost his life in the most tragic way possible; he was robbed and shot twice with no struggle in his Ferndale dollar store. God took him away from us too soon, but we will always have great memories of a treasured life. Karim you will always be missed, but never forgotten.
Karim is survived by his beautiful wife Aida Khamarko; his children, Brenda (Ray) Kalasho and their three sons Roman, Preston and Julian; his son Vincent, his daughter Vivian, his son Kevin, and his daughter Candace. He was a wonderful family man and loved by all, he devoted his life to his wife, their children and grandchildren. We are proud to call you our father. Dad if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. You will always stay in our memories and hearts. We love you and we will always miss you, Dad.
Tributes
Leave a tributeIt still hurts missing you everyday and what we all had to go thru. But we have learned to live with it, we had no choice. I pray that you have a beautiful Thanksgiving in heaven. I love and miss you too
much❤️
Your my heart.
Your my heart.
Leave a Tribute
Missing u Baba
Baba,
Omg...I can't believe I'm doing this! I miss u sooo much!!! This is not how I'm suppose to be talking to u. I want to see u, hear ur loud voice, smell u and touch u. Baba I wish for u to come home all the time. Not just for me but for everyone. Everyday I think of that tragic day and how I wish I could change it. If only we had came over that night for dinner u would of closed early. Because u always came home early when me and the boys were there...I'm so sorry! Ray wanted to come over that night, but I told him the boys were tired and we didn't come. I should of listened to him. When Candace called and told us u were robbed and shot, Ray ran out the house and left me with the kids. I just prayed and Roman saw me crying and asked why. I told him that Jido was sick and we would see u in the morning. Never in a million yrs did I think u wouldn't make it, ur so strong and would never leave us! As soon as I saw Ray's face I knew u had passed away and fell to the floor with the baby in my arms. We rushed to the hospital and the drive there I was still telling Ray that u would be ok. That u would never leave mama! U would never leave us! I can't believe this happened to us...I swear a part of mom died with u. She is sooo lost without u and at the same time trying to be strong for all of us. Baba, she needs u more now than ever please protect her and guide her. She's always crying, but I bring the boys over everyday to help distract her. Vivian and Candace miss u dearly and hate being home because it reminds them that u won't be coming back. Vincent and Kevin have stepped up to help mom and all of us. U would be so proud. Ray was like a third son to u and he misses sitting next to u at the dinner table. Having ur long talks and drinking together. Roman and Preston ask for u all the time. Roman doesn't understand, but I told him ur in heaven with God. He said he wants to come to heaven and see u. When I tell him he can't, he gets upset. I tell him ur too far away, but to talk to u everyday. He says he does, but u don't answer him. He misses u and doesn't understand where u are or why u would leave him. Today he asked me when u are going to barbecue for him. Poor Preston he just wants his Jido to come home and bring him balloons. When the phone rings, he's always yelling Jido, Jido. This is so sad...u are the best grandfather. I just pray that they will remember u and we will all do our best to make sure they do. The my boys are lucky that they got to feel ur love. There is one moment that stands out in my mind,it's when u were crawling with them in their tunnel, all three of u were having so much fun. They love u and miss u so much. Baba, it's so hard for me to think that I will never see u again. Who's going to yell at me and call me crazy. Who's going to tell me and bother me to eat. Who's going to walk me to my car every time I leave ur house. I miss that the most, because I would always yell at u for not wearing a jacket or that I didn't need help. But baba I did need help and I'm sorry for yelling at u. You are a wonderful dad, you always protected us and watched over us. You spoiled mama, Viv, Candy, me and my kids. How r we going to live without you?!?!? This is going to be the hardest thing we will ever have to go through, please help us and guide us. I know u will always be with us and that if u had a choice u never would of left us. U did not deserve for ur life to end this way! Baba I love u and miss u! Please visit us in our dreams.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS, Brenda