George Bernard Azar

AZAR, George Bernard, age 91, of Montgomery passed away peacefully at home Thursday, July 14, 2022. He was born in Montgomery in 1930 to a Lebanese immigrant Zaki N Azar and his wife Mary in a small house on Bainbridge Street. There he was raised with his 11 brothers and sisters, all of whom stayed in Montgomery to raise their families and become a big part of the community. He is the last of his siblings to pass and bring to a close a wonderful generation of the Azar family.

He attended St Mary of Loretta High School and graduated in 1947. After two years of college he joined the Air Force in 1951 and served two years active duty. After his military service, he attended Spring Hill College and the University of Alabama. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law in 1956. His legal career spanned nearly 60 years beginning as a law clerk for Judge Frank M. Johnson from 1957-1959. He began his law practice with his brother Edward J Azar and Woodley C. Campbell in 1962, Azar Campbell & Azar. In 1987 the firm name was changed to Azar & Azar upon the departure of Woodley C. Campell. Through the years, he served on numerous corporate, civic, cultural, and religious boards including Executive Committee member of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association from 1974-75, President of the Montgomery County Bar Association 1975, President of the Montgomery County Trial Lawyers Association in 1985, Member of the Farrah Law Society University of Alabama 1969, President of the Montgomery Civitan Club 1969-70, and received the Meritorious Service Award from Resurrection Catholic Missions in1990.

He is predeceased by son, George Bernard (Barney) Azar, Jr., Parents, Zaki N. and Mary S. Azar, Siblings, Catherine Azar Reickenback, Emma Azar McElvy, Margaret Azar Clark, Joseph N. Azar, Edward J. Azar, Josephine (Dodie) Azar Pappanastos, Zack N. Azar, Jr., Helen Azar Boman, Thomas J. Azar, Dorothy (Dottie) Azar Dean and James R. Azar.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Celeste Davis Azar, sons William Davis Azar (Stephanie), Joseph Hubert Azar (Milla), and Zack Michael Azar (Mindy). Grandchildren Joseph Anthony Azar (Jenny), Kristina Michelle Azar Rieger (Derek), Ashley Nicole Azar, Allyson Marie Azar Towe (Josh), Zack Michael Azar, Jr., Allen Merrill Azar, Aimee Noel Azar and Erik Davis Azar. Great grandchildren Andi Kate Azar, Isla Davis Azar, Joseph Weston Azar, Alex Riley Rieger, Olivia Ryan Rieger, Camryn Jane Rieger, Wyatt Dalton Booher, Waylon Roe Booher and Marshall James Towe.

Services will be held at St Peter Catholic Church, Montgomery July 23 with visitation at 10:00, funeral mass at 11:00 followed by graveside service at St Margaret Cemetery. Pall Bearers will be Joseph A Azar, Zack Michael Azar, Jr, Allen Merrill Azar, Erik Davis Azar, Josh Towe and Derek Rieger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation https://dravetsyndromefoundation.salsalabs.org/RaisingHopeThroughResearch/p/oliviasfundraiserfordravet/index.html or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Azar family.