Adam Joseph Elkhadem

Adam Elkhadem, 26, of Houston, Texas, passed away May 28th, 2023. He was born in Houston on July 25th, 1996 to Megan Lazarou and Joseph Elkhadem. Adam graduated from Columbia University in 2018, where he studied political science and art history. He worked for the Harris County District Courts.

An avid artist and author, Adam’s passion for everything was felt by everyone. As a visual arts student at Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he earned no shortage of accolades—National Merit Scholar, YoungArts winner, President of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society—but he was best known by his peers as a persistently devoted friend. When he wasn’t furiously finishing his homework or putting the finishing touches on his latest masterpiece, he was often hand-writing a note of gratitude for a mentor or peer.

Upon matriculating to New York to attend Columbia University, Adam’s penchant for community-building came with him. As a linchpin of the Columbia School of Avalon and fearless leader of the Furnald Film Club, he pitched a big tent, eager to welcome anyone who was willing to play games and watch movies by his side. He remained committed to his studies all the while, graduating Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and receiving the David B. Truman Alumni Award—which is presented to the single Columbia College student each year who makes the most distinguished contribution to the academic affairs of the College.

During his time in New York, Adam’s spirit of exuberant inclusivity extended to the whole of the city. Whether entertaining visitors or catching up with old friends, he could regularly be found just a couple blocks off-campus at Tom’s Restaurant (which he would make no haste to remind you is the restaurant from Seinfeld, although only the exterior because obviously the interior was filmed in Los Angeles). He founded a Facebook group dedicated to posting pictures of single lost gloves which boasts over a thousand members and remains active. And on many a late night—often after taking the train to support a friend in their artistic endeavors—you could find him ambling about the streets of Manhattan with a pizza slice in his hand and ambitious dreams in his head.

After returning to Houston post-college, Adam’s creative output continued to soar. For over a year, he wrote and illustrated the weekly comic strip Octave: The Artist for Caesura Magazine—itself a project he was invited to participate in by a fellow HSPVA alumnus. A complete annotated paperback compilation of Octave was published in 2022; Adam proudly greeted a crowd of friends and fans at the book’s launch event in New York. Adam also published 42 issues of another strip, Gluck, for Caesura, and illustrated over a dozen album covers in collaboration with independent artists. He achieved all of this while working diligently as a self-described “low level bureaucrat” for the Harris County District Courts. Despite his best efforts, Adam was promoted multiple times.

Adam believed, always, in following dreams, working hard, and rolling with the punches. His insistence upon pursuing these ideals, even in the face of life’s inevitable tragedies, is captured by Octave’s motto. Sic semper artificibus — thus always to artists.

Adam was preceded in death by his grandfather, Mostafa Elkhadem.

He is survived by his parents; his sister, Allie Elkhadem; his grandparents Richard and Deborah Lazarou; his grandmother, Rita Elkhadem; his uncles, Monir Elkhadem, Richard Lazarou, Jacob Lazarou; his aunts, Emily Lazarou, Beth Lazarou; his cousins, Paul, Rachel, Samantha, Marigold, Ivy and Izrael.

A funeral service for Adam will be held Friday, June 2, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. Following the funeral service, there will be a reception from 3:45 PM to 5:45 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Adam's name to The Center for Great Apes.

https://centerforgreatapes.org/donate/

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