Samir Faraj Khalaf

Samir Faraj Khalaf, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, one day before his 88th birthday. Born on March 8, 1938, in Baghdad, Iraq, Samir lived a life marked by resilience, generosity, and deep devotion to his family and community.

In Baghdad, he attended medical school for three years before immigrating to the United States, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron and later an MBA from UCLA. Shortly before graduating, he joined CF Braun & Co., a petrochemical engineering firm in California. He married his beloved wife, Suad, a Lebanese immigrant who had arrived in the United States in 1955, and the couple settled in California. Through dedication and talent, Samir rose quickly, becoming the youngest manager in the company’s history. In 1976, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Datamation Systems in Dubai, an early computer services company that supported businesses and government departments in adopting automation and new technologies. He lived there with his family for seven years before returning to California in 1984.

Samir will be remembered for his warmth, steady presence, and readiness to help others. He was a trusted mentor and father figure to many. Above all, family remained the heart of his life. He shared a loving marriage with Suad and took great pride in his daughters, Laila and Mona, his sons-in-law, Ammar Adra and Samir Rizk, and his six grandchildren, Carina, Lara, Razann, Dylan, Caden, and Roman. He is also survived by his brothers, Husam and Zaher, his sister, Fatin, and many nieces and nephews.

Outside of work, Samir enjoyed an active life filled with tennis, bowling, walking, cycling, and travel, always cherishing time spent with friends and loved ones. His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by all who knew him.