Amil J. Ablah
May 12, 1934 ~ July 30, 2022
Amil J. Ablah was born in Wichita, Kansas to Nellie and Frank Ablah. He died on July 30, 2022 at 88 years.
Amil graduated from East High School in 1952. He attended the University of Kansas and Wichita State University and made many lasting friendships along the way.
In 1961, through mutual friends, Amil met a dental hygienist, Carol Robinson. They married in 1962 and were fortunate to spend the next sixty years together. They had two children. Amil adored having children and did anything he could to be a part of their lives – including driving to Minnesota in a blizzard to attend a father-daughter banquet.
Early in his career, he served in the Air Force Reserve and then joined the family business, the Ablah Hotel Supply, where he worked until 1986. After earning his real estate license, he joined his brother, Don, and two nephews at Classic Real Estate. Before long, his love of food service led him to join a physicist, Brian Clothier, to form TSI and invent warming devices for food delivery. He retired in 2016.
Amil is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lucille (Milton) Barkett; and brother, George (Virginia) Ablah. Amil is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Andrew (Story) Ablah and Elizabeth Ablah; his brother, Don (Faith) Ablah; his grandchildren, Stella and Oscar; a beloved granddog; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Celebration of Life will occur at 11 am on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at College Hill United Methodist Church in Wichita, KS. The family would like everyone to be safe and requests you wear a mask. The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed through the church’s website. Lunch will follow the service. Burial will occur at 11:30 am on Monday, August 8, 2022 at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Hill City, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lord’s Diner or Meals on Wheels.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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Amil and I became close friends in 1954 while sharing the 2nd floor of an elderly woman’s home just east of the KU campus with a couple of other friends from Wichita. This was a life long friendship with many twists and turns. Our time together was interrupted when I volunteered for the draft in ’54 and left for the army. Upon my return, our close friendship resumed. (We attempted to start an ill-fated business in “high fidelity” equipment. That actually may have been in ’54 I don’t remember the exact timing) There were many good times together and I especially remember the parties at his home where I courted my wife while listening to “hi-fi” records. My only regret from those early days was that I was unable to attend his wedding to his wonderful wife Carol. Even though my wife Joan and I moved to Lawrence in ’59 and then Kansas Ciy we never lost touch and always enjoyed seeing he and Carol on our trips to Wichita. I was always inspired by Amil’s inventive and restless mind and I knew that if I ever needed help that I could rely upon him. Rest in peace my good man, your good friend, Dave
Such fond memories of Amil. Kind. Generous. So smart. Condolences to his family.
I knew Amil for over 40 years, professionally and personal. He was such a friendly person and had the biggest smile and warm greeting every time I saw him. He will be missed and my sympathies to Carol and his family.May he Rest In Peace!! Jerry Aaron
So sorry to hear about Amil’s passing. He was such a kind heart and a real gentlemen. I did not have a whole lot of interaction with Amil but everytime I did I felt better about life. May he rest in peace.
Our deepest sympathy &thought &prayers with you amal timsah&Family
Rest Amil, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God. Thank you for your service to this nation. U.S. Air Force Reserves.
When I first met Amil, he came to me with an idea. It seemed that every time we met from there on, Amil had a new idea. It was always for something ingenuous, out-of-the-box and beneficial to people and business. Sometimes the idea was just about me. He wanted to know how I was doing, what did I need. We’d have lunch and he’d be hailed by a half-dozen people before we left. Often, the owner of the restaurant would visit out table and Amil would introduce us. Hardly content to be a colleague, Amil became a friend and a father figure. He was an extraordinary person, whom I loved and who influenced my life. He invited me into his home, and I am privileged to know his family, whose sorrow and joy I share today. Bart Wilcox
Dear Carol John and I are so sorry to hear about Amil and you both have always meant a lot to us. We know it has been a long road for you and Amil and we are so sorry we couldn’t make it to to the funeral as I got sick. Our hearts are with you and your family. Love Barb and John Hoffmann