Kamal Saad Toma

Kamal Saad Toma, born December 16, 1930 to Kamal Saad Toma Saad and Aziza Dawood Hanna, went home to be with Jesus on February 28, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina where he passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Kamal was born and raised in Damanhur, Egypt. Kamal went to Cairo University College of Geology and Science where he received dual Bachelor's degrees in Geology and Chemistry in 1952 and a Masters degree in Chemistry in 1954. Following his schooling he worked as a drafting Geologist and he worked as a private teacher for Egyptian diplomats.

Kamal married the love of his life, Nargis Shehata Rizk, on September 24, 1959. In December 1969, Kamal immigrated with Nargis and his three young children, Sameh, Basem, and Heidi after accepting his first job in the United States where he worked at one of the first desegregated schools in Charlotte, North Carolina.  In 1972, The Tomas moved to Cary, NC when Kamal was hired as an Earth Science teacher at Leroy Martin Jr. High school with Wake County Public Schools. Moving his family to Cary allowed his wife Nargis also to work on her graduate degree. After Kamal received his Masters degree in Education, Kamal became a Chemistry/Advanced Placement Chemistry Teacher in 1978, with the opening of a new Athens Drive High School in Raleigh.

Kamal received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ Award numerous times from Wake County Public Schools for excellence in teaching Chemistry. Kamal’s giftedness in teaching was a reflection of his love for young people, and he used great wisdom while communicating with his students. Kamal was a dearly loved teacher because he knew how to challenge his students while being an excellent encourager as well.

Kamal headed the Natural Science Department at Governor’s School East in Laurinburg, North Carolina through the summers of 1982 through 1993. During this time, he taught Chemistry to gifted science students from all over the state of North Carolina. In 1994, Kamal retired from Athens Drive High School and became General Manager of The North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine (NCCRM). This was the most wonderful opportunity for Kamal since his passion was his family, and for many years this afforded him the opportunity to work alongside of his eldest son, Dr. Sameh Kamal Toma.

Kamal and Nargis were the best of friends and shared such tender love and devotion to each other for 62+ years of marriage. They demonstrated the true definition of dedicated love to those who had the pleasure of their company. Kamal’s joy in life was getting to share each and every day with his lovely wife.

Kamal had a passion for his family. He knew how to be both the strong leader of his family and a great friend to his kids and grandkids. Kamal was the best husband, Baba (dad), Gedo (grandad), Gedo Gedo (great granddad), uncle, cousin, and friend to all! He was a gentle man who showed love, kindness, warmth, wisdom, generosity, and protection to everyone he loved.

Kamal came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1985. He shared his faith freely with anyone who spent time with him. He loved reading the Bible, he sat most of his days reading the New Testament. At this time he loved telling us how the Lord was so good to him and how everything in life happens for a reason. Kamal also loved singing hymns. His favorite song of faith was the Christmas song, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”

We celebrate Kamal’s life knowing that he did not merely die, but has passed from life to life and was welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus.

Psalms 116:15

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

Kamal is survived by his devoted wife, Nargis Shehata Toma, and his three children and their families:

Son - Dr. Sameh Kamal Toma (Cynthia) of Cary, North Carolina and children Nicole (Cameron), Megan (Casey), Nadia, Caralee, Josiane (Kalab), and Darcy; Son – Basem Kamal Toma (Kathryn) of Angier, North Carolina and children Bailey (Nnadozie), Nicholas (Emma), Cameron, and Zachary; and

Daughter – Heidi Kamal Toma Berggren (William) and children Katherine (Tyler), Toma and Raquel; and

Great grandchildren – Charleston, Tommi, Cameron, Lily Gray, Ryder, Cooper, Coleson, and Lily.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 2:15 - 3:30 with a Funeral Service immediately following in the Mausoleum at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, NC 27612.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research/ Alzheimer’s Association - 225 N. Michigan Avenue Floor 17 - Chicago, IL 60601 or to the Wounded Warrior Project - 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300 - Jacksonville, FL 32256.  (hyperlinks may be found below under DONATIONS)

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