Thomas Jabara

Jabara, Thomas A. , 63, owner of Jabara’s Carpet Outlet, died peacefully surrounded by family on May 30, 2018 after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. The courage he showed during his battle gave strength to many and uplifted the souls of everyone who met him. His renewed faith never wavered, but served as a beacon of light even in his darkest hours.

Tom was born on July 8, 1954 in Wichita, Ks. He was a 1972 graduate of Wichita Heights High school and was a continued supporter of his alma mater. Tom was offered a full-ride math scholarship out of high school but decided instead to help run the family business. While helping his father run Jabara’s Damaged Freight, he attended Wichita State University where he met his future wife of 44 years, Susan (Ralston) Jabara. While attending WSU, he was initiated into Kappa Sigma Fraternity and later served as its alumni association president and on its alumni board.

Throughout the years Tom was actively involved in any number of youth sports and other youth activities like the Boy Scouts of America with his future Eagle Scout sons Jason and Josh. Tom became a second father to a generation of young men as he sponsored teams, athletes, students, scouts and troops. He bought uniforms for players, sent scouts to camps, purchased gear or equipment, or provided scholarship money to any number of young men he met, who may not have been as fortunate as he. Tom never asked for anything in return other than to use it as best they could and to pass it on to someone else.

Tom was well known for his love of a “good deal” and there was never an auction or sale he would have wanted to miss. He has been fixture in the Wichita and national flooring & home improvement community for over 40 years. He loved to fish with his family and he loved to play cards with any friend or stranger who wanted to join him at a table. He enjoyed gardening and working outdoors out at the farm. He liked antique shopping with his wife. He was a huge sports fan and WSU season ticket holder for many years. You could always catch him at home games sitting at the half court line, 2 rows up with his brother George. When he wasn’t at basketball games he was rooting on the Shockers, Royals, and Chiefs. What he loved most though was spending time with his grandchildren. Whether it was watching them dance or skate; play volleyball or rock climb; he loved just being around them as much as possible.

He was proceeded in death by his parents George and Helen Jabara, and his brother Bill Jabara. Tom is survived by his wife, Susan; sons, Jason (Cheryl) Jabara and Joshua (Sara) Jabara; grandchildren Madelyn, Jenna, Allison, Jacob and Jackson Jabara; brothers, George (Judy) Jabara, Nick Jabara and Larry (Jan) Jabara; and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation with family will be held from 5:30 to 6:45 pm with funeral service following at 7:00 pm, Monday, June 4th, at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral. Burial will take place at 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 5th, at Kensington Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 7515 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67206 and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 6505 E. Central, #101, Wichita, KS 67206. Share condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.