Norman George Haddad

October 28, 1933-August 18, 2021

Norman George Haddad (“Norman”) age 87, made his glorious journey to heaven on August 18, 2021 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ leaving a remarkable legacy reflecting his life long commitment to his Syrian heritage, his family, his unstoppable real estate career and his undying commitment to those who he counseled and the lives he changed in El Paso, Texas.

Born in El Paso as a child of immigrant parents from Syria, Norman was one of 6 children, three girls and three boys. He was raised with his extended family including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who spoke Arabic at home, English at school and he quickly became bilingual in Spanish acquiring a love for the Mexican culture in his beloved El Paso. Norman attended Dudley Elementary School and El Paso High School where he was commended with highest honors and served as a Lt. Colonel in the ROTC and played football for the Tigers, all the while growing up on South El Paso street where he and his cousins passed the time with each other on the streets playing games or visiting friends in the neighborhood.

After graduating from El Paso High School as a beloved Tiger, Norman attended Texas A & M University for two years and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where he completed his schooling with a degree in biology as a proud Longhorn. He held a love for the Aggies as well as for the University of Texas his entire life and was always heard counseling his children and grandchildren with love and support on the importance of higher education and ‘getting their degree.’

Before finishing college Norman met the love of his life, his late wife of over 60 years Dorathy Lea Haddad, and they dated for 4 years before they married in 1956. In 1956 Norman was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served and was deployed to Austria and later to Washington State and then to California. After his military service Norman began his career in real estate brokerage in California where he started from the ground up and quickly made his way into a successful and exciting career that he loved for the entirety of his life.

Because of his love for El Paso, in 1970 Norman and Dorathy returned to their hometown of El Paso where he started his real estate brokerage firm, Investors International Inc., and singlehandedly brought the equity purchase business from California to the El Paso market. Norman’s tireless work ethic quickly catapulted him as a leader in the real estate industry in El Paso where he ultimately had 5 real estate offices and served as the President of the El Paso Board of Realtors and as a National Director for the Texas Association of Realtors, making multiple meetings and trips to lobby for the real estate industry. In building his real estate career, Norman became known as one of the great ‘teachers’ who saw the potential in people, gave them opportunities and taught them the tools to change their own lives. He leaves many legacies of friends and students far and wide in the City who remember Norman’s advice and counsel.

In the early 1980s Norman made the transition into commercial real estate exclusively where he sustained a heightened career in commercial development and brokerage. He developed shopping Centers throughout El Paso and singlehandedly travelled to Bentonville Arkansas, built a relationship with the Sam Walton team and brought the first Wal-Mart to El Paso, which now stands at I-10 and North Mesa Street. Norman worked in the commercial space until he retired only 2 years ago at the age of 85, but he never would turn his business completely over to others as he cherished what he built and he truly always knew best.

In addition to Norman’s career legacy he was a community leader always advocating for El Paso, building countless professional and personal relationships and promoting the community through his career, the Sun Bowl Association, and through the founding of the CCIM Chapter for commercial brokerage in the Sun City.

Notwithstanding his outstanding career, Norman’s first love was his Syrian heritage and his family. At all times he was a devoted son, brother, friend, father and grandfather never ceasing to remind people that family, heritage and one’s word was one’s bond. Norman was known for his incredible hospitality inviting others to his beloved home on Rim Road where he spent the last days of his life sitting on his porch admiring the view of El Paso day and night.

Norman leaves behind a legacy of work, friends and family who will miss him beyond measure. He was a mentor, advisor, teacher and often the wisest and most profound thinker in a room. He is preceded in death by his parents Goson and Mary Haddad, sisters Carmen Haddad, Amelia Isaac and Cafa Elias. He is survived by his brothers Fred N. Haddad and Charles Haddad; daughters Racy Lea Haddad (Austin), Monique Ferry Rosser (Dallas), Rachel Deloras Haddad of El Paso, Texas; his grandchildren Faith Alexandra Haddad (Austin), Emily Haddad Jabali (Austin), John Paul Dillow (Austin), Lily Rosser, Troy Rosser and Mick Rosser (Dallas); and the love of his life, his three year old great grandson Christian Haddad Smith (Faith).

Norman would have wanted his family and friends to remember him as a brave, self made man who revolutionized his work, left kindness and lessons to others and who, above all else, loved his family and culture and trusted his Lord and Savior to the end. Celebration of Life services for Norman will be held on Friday, August 27th, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Clement, 810 North Campbell Street, El Paso Texas 79902, with Intermittent Graveside Services at Memory Gardens of the Valley immediately thereafter and handled by Martin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Church of St. Clement in his name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Haddad family.