Ernest Khoury

Ernest Khoury died on August 3, 2016, at 89 years of age. Born in Waco, Texas, on November 20, 1926, Ernest was the son of Lebanese immigrants, Alex and Theodora Khoury. He began working on weekends at his aunt’s grocery store in East Waco as an 8 year old boy, which engendered a legendary work ethic that lasted his entire life. Ernest graduated from Waco High School in 1943, and was fluent in Arabic since it was also spoken in the home. At the age of 16, he enrolled at his beloved Texas A&M, and its Corp of Cadets, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1947. However, instead of pursuing engineering, he chose to help his father start the family millwork business in August, 1946, first as Alex Khoury & Sons, then later as Khoury, Inc., which still endures 70 years later. He and his brother, Theo, both highly skilled artisans, transformed Khoury, Inc. into a premiere architectural woodworking firm, which, at its peak, employed more than 40 people, and manufactured high quality millwork products for large construction contractors and corporate customers, banks, major lawfirms, hedge funds, high end residences and churches. Some customers include American Airlines, Mary Kay, Frito Lay, Denbury Resources, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, KPMG, Merrill Lynch, Atmos Energy, Earl Cabell Federal Building, Ft. Worth Court of Appeals, Baker Botts, Weil Gotshaw, Winstead, Nokia, Ft. Worth Petroleum Club, Baylor University, Barneys, residences of Ed Bass and Richard Rogers, Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco. Ernest was a powerful tenor and a lover of music, particularly the opera. As a lifelong member of St. Paul’s, he was the anchor of the church choir for almost 69 years, and served on the Vestry, and as Senior and Junior Warden. He filled his home with music and extolled its virtues to his children and grandchildren. Over the years he sang at hundreds of weddings and funerals, and for more than 20 years, Ernest sang every Friday night as the lead cantor at the Jewish Temple Rodef Shalom in Waco. Ernest was a Mason and loved the Masonic fraternity. He was a member of Waco Lodge No. 92 and the James H. Lockwood Lodge No. 1343, having twice served as its Worshipful Master. He also served as DDGM in 1988. Ernest was a member of the York Rite bodies, belonging to the chapter Council and Commandery, and served as a state officer for those bodies. His Scottish Rite achievements include being the Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in 1976, obtaining his KCCH in 1973 and a 33rd degree IGH in 1983. Ernest was also a member of the Waco Chapter of DeMolay, where he served as past Sovereign and Recorder. He was also an endowed member of each of these organizations. Finally, Ernest received the Golden Trowel Award, and a 65-year service award pin. Ernest was also a long-time member of Waco Rotary Club. More than anything, Ernest was a strong, principled man of character. He was a family man, a devoted husband and a great father and grandfather. He was guided by his strong Christian faith and an uncompromising integrity. During the numerous downturns in the business cycle he witnessed over the years, he seldom laid off anyone, often to his financial detriment, because his employees were more like his family. He was devoid of any deception, he kept his word and never refused a request for assistance. His generosity to the disadvantaged was a reflex, forged from a recognition of his many blessings, as well as the economic hardships he overcame. Ernest was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lily, of 67 years. He is survived by his son, Ernest, and wife, Luann, grandchildren, Matthew, Claire and Philip, of Dallas; his son, Stephen, and wife, Lisa, grandchildren, Caroline, John Stephen and Christopher, of Dallas; his daughter, Pamela, and husband, Jim Stoye, and grandchild, Marina, of Corte Madera, CA; and daughter, Karen, and husband, Lanny Houillion, and grandchildren, Zachary, Luke and Alek, of Dallas. He is also survived by his sister, Lillian Davidson; his brother, Fred Khoury, and wife, Betty; his brother, Rollin Khoury, and wife, Lorri; his sister-in-law, Julia Khoury; and a score of nieces and nephews. The family will always be grateful to Johnny Ray Richardson and his wife, Carolyn, as well as Eva Cruz, for the wonderful care, compassion, loyalty and love they gave to Ernest. A memorial service in celebration of Ernest’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family has designated Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for memorial donations. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www. WHBfamily.com.