Jesse Joe Jabour

Jesse Joe Jabour, a lifelong Austinite of Lebanese descent, devoted husband, and loving father, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021, at the age of 89. He was born on January 22, 1932, in Austin, Texas, and was the youngest of seven children to Albert Jabour and Mary Attal Jabour.

Jesse graduated from Austin High School in 1950. Following graduation, he was drafted and enlisted with the US Marines during the Korean War where he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon his separation and honorable discharge, Jesse attended the University of Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1956. He later received a Master of Business Administration from St. Edward’s University in 1976. For 35 years, Jesse taught with the public school system in Austin and with Austin Community College for over 40 years. Jesse and two of his brothers, Theodore and Arthur, operated Jabour’s Package and Liquor Store on East Sixth Street until its closure in 1981 when the next generation of Jabours established Twin Liquors. In addition to his work and his family, Jesse was his entire life a devout member of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church.

In 1965, he met the love of his life, Muntaha Nehme, who had recently arrived in the United States from Lebanon for a visit with her sister who lived in Lockhart, Texas. Within a few weeks, Jesse proposed to Muntaha, and two months later they were married at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church. At the time of their marriage, Muntaha spoke only Arabic until she learned English months later, and despite Jesse’s limited Arabic, he quite often said they overcame their initial language limitations by speaking the international language of “love”.

Jesse and Muntaha shared a life of 29 years together prior to Muntaha’s passing in 1994. Their marriage was filled with love and happiness while raising their three children: Philip Anthony, Denise Marie, and Stephen Habeeb. Together, Jesse and Muntaha dedicated their lives to their children, teaching them to be honorable individuals and faithful Orthodox Christians while encouraging them to always love and respect each other. The eternal memory of Jesse and Muntaha lives on through the legacy they have left in their children and grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Jesse was preceded in death by his wife, Muntaha, and his six siblings: Fred Jabour, Idal Gillett, Rosalie Dagar, Arthur Jabour, Theodore Jabour, and Frances Fadal. Jesse is survived by his three children and their spouses, Philip and Albert S. Jabour, Denise and Jesus Martinez, and Stephen and Diana Jabour, along with his four grandchildren Samantha, Danielle, Austin, and Alexa, and two step-grandchildren David and Eric.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the caregivers at Silverleaf Eldercare where Jesse resided prior to his passing and to his many friends at the Atria at the Arboretum who continued to call on Jesse after his move to Silverleaf. In addition, the family wishes to thank the dedicated healthcare personnel who attended to Jesse’s care including Hospice Austin and all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who lovingly cared for him.

A visitation will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home located at 6100 N. Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas, on Friday, June 18, 2021, beginning at 5:00pm with the Orthodox Trisagion service following at 7:00pm in the Colonial Chapel. The Funeral Service will take place at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church on 408 East 11th Street in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 10:00am with burial to immediately follow at Oakwood Cemetery Annex on 1601 Comal. A Mercy Meal will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jesse’s memory to St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, 15519 FM 1325, Austin, Texas 78728.

May Jesse’s Memory Be Eternal.