Sol Peter Ajalat

Sol Peter Ajalat was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 12, 1932. The second of 5 children, his parents Peter and Tesbina had immigrated from Jordan and owned a small wholesale and retail clothing store. The family (Peter, Tesbina, Mitry, Sol, Goldie, Mary & Paul) lived in a small space behind their store in Chicago. Sol often helped care for his younger siblings and also lent a hand in their store selling lingerie. As a young boy, Sol was notorious for running around the streets of Chicago and trolley hopping with his friends. He loved adventure and embraced life from a young age.

In 1945, the family moved west to Los Angeles. He attended Fairfax High School where he was a standout student and a star football player, earning the nickname “The Mad Arab”. Despite moving forward in school year after year, Sol had never really learned to read well. It was after high school where he put his mind to it and finally taught himself to properly read. After graduating high school in 1951, Uncle Sam came calling. He was drafted into the United States Army and served for three years as an instructor in Emergency Medical Care at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. While in the army he received a letter from his sister Mary that Lily Roum had been named the queen of the St. Nicholas Sweetheart Ball. He wrote back asking, “Who is Lily Roum?”. Little did he know what his future would hold! Upon his discharge in 1954 he attended UCLA and he earned a degree in Public Health Administration in 1958. He continued on at UCLA to attend Law School and earned his Juris Doctor in 1962.

Sol was very involved in his beloved St. Nicholas Church, in fact he served as the first ever SOYO President. He had many friends and loved interacting with the people in his Church community. Those interactions would lead to his finally meeting a young Lily Roum, whom he would marry in 1960 and begin a love filled marriage for the next 63 years.

Sol and Lily had 4 children: Steve, Greg, Denise & Larry. They settled in the Toluca Lake area in 1962 and remained there over 60 years. Sol worked very hard to provide for his family and ensure that Lily could stay home and raise the kids. Nevertheless he still made time for Indian Guides, Little League, and many other activities with the children. Over the years the family of 6 grew to include Steve & Gloria (Andrew, Lauren); Greg & Julie (Nicolas, Christopher, Kimberly); Denise & Mark (Derian, Rachel, Christian); Larry & Rena (Lucas, Hannah, Emma). Sol’s joy was his 11 grandchildren who he loved to have deep conversations with about every topic under the sun. He was simply Papa, and always had a listening ear and an encouraging word for them.

Sol was extremely involved in everything around him ~ his Church community, his Law community, and his Toluca Lake home community. His participation in the community was endless ~ He served as President or Director in a number of organizations, including St. Nicholas Parish Council, Arab American Educational Foundation, L.A. Unified School District Advisory Council, Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, North Hollywood Medical Center, Kiwanis International, Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council, Los Angeles Lawyers Club, and so many more. Community was his passion ~ serving others and bringing others together for the greater good, this is what he strived to do his entire life.

Sol continued to work into his 90th year, forever insisting that there was more work to be done and so many more people to help.

Upon his passing the family has heard countless stories of how Sol has helped those he’s encountered along his life’s path in one way or another. He has been described as always providing encouragement and wisdom, delivering both gently and lovingly with his beautiful smile. Sol loved his family deeply and most importantly his beautiful bride Lily, always remarking about how amazing she was. He adored both his children and grandchildren, speaking frequently of how proud he was of all them. He loved Laguna Beach, he loved Costco, he loved shopping and finding a great deal. He was a beloved husband, a supportive father, a doting grandfather and an incredible role model to many. He loved the Church, he loved God and more than ever he loved life.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7