Abdallah E. Najjar

Dr. Abdallah Edward Najjar, 95, passed on October 4, 2017. His wife of 69 years, Geraldine Blankenship Najjar, passed 3 days earlier, on October 1, 2017. Also preceding him in death are his Stepmother, Zahia Najjar; Daughter, Lila; and Brothers Fred Najjar and Sam Najjar.

He is survived by three sons, Alan (Donna) of Buford, GA, Omar (Kim), of Stone Mountain GA, and Mark (Laura) of Cumming, GA; five grandchildren, Jessica Kubat (Jamie) of Birmingham, AL, Jeff Najjar of Miami, FL, Patrick Najjar of Athens, GA, Joseph Najjar (Jade) of Fayetteville, AR, and Claire Najjar of Athens, GA; Sisters Samira Bird (Ed) of Brewster, NY and Sara Najjar Wilson (Robert) Reston, VA; and brother Ali Najjar of Williamsburg, VA.

He was born in the mountain village of Baakline, Lebanon to naturalized American parents, the late Asaad Edward and Adibeh Najjar. After completing his studies at the American University of Beirut he was drafted to military service during WW II. He served in the US Army 3rd and 9th Divisions in France and Germany. Following his military service he and his brothers purchased a restaurant in Mullens, WV. Shortly thereafter, he entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he completed graduate studies in Public Health.

Dr. Najjar dedicated his life to serving others. Assignments with the U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID) and the United States Public Health Service took him and his family around the world, where he worked to control the spread of malaria and other infectious diseases. In 1964, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he established the Office of International Services at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

He remained active in his retirement years serving many educational, cultural, and charitable organizations, including the American Druze Society, the American Druze Foundation, the Alif Institute, and the Kiwanis Club.

A memorial service will be held on November 12, 2017 at 2:00, Floral Hills Funeral Home, Tucker, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.