George Joseph Koury

George J. Koury, 90, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Mary Koury; first wife, Betty Turrietta Koury; brothers Nasseeb Koury and Joe Koury; and sisters, Linda Hakeem, Lillian Deeb and Lorraine Mogab.

George was born in Boston, MA on June 3, 1931. He attended greater Boston area schools, including Cathedral High School. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and served in the Air Force where for a time he was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. After leaving the Air Force with an honorable discharge,

George became an active and successful real estate broker and commercial real estate investor as the owner of The Koury Company. He served for a time as the Chairman of the New Mexico Real Estate Commission, having been appointed to that post by Governor Jerry Apodaca. George developed the Academy Knolls neighborhood in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque as well as several apartment complexes, office and retail buildings, and self-storage facilities in and around the Albuquerque area.

George's passion in life was sailing and he enjoyed going on sailing adventures with family and friends in the Caribbean, the Greek Islands, and in waters surrounding both North and South America. At one point he captained his sailboat "the Mariah" on a trip through the Panama Canal.

George was a member for many years at Tanoan Country Club and enjoyed both golf and tennis and having breakfast with his golfing and tennis buddies in the clubhouse.

George is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Ada Lu Koury; daughter, Linda Airy (Bill); daughter, Carol Lauer (Rob); daughter, Janet Brooks (Keith); son, George Koury, Jr (Terri); brother, Peter Koury; brother-in-law, Harry Hakeem; and sister-in-law Diane Koury. He was especially proud of his 12 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

A memorial for George will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd at French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George's honor to the Presbyterian Ear Institute in Albuquerque ( www.presbyterianearinstitute.org ).