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Submitted: 3/18/14 • Approved: 3/19/14 • Last Updated: 4/14/18 • R748990-G0-S3
Mar. 19, 1914
Feb. 11, 1983
The Steele Enterprise, Steele, Missouri
Thursday, February 17, 1983
Phillip G. Koury, co-owner of the local Firestone Store, died at his home in Steele February 11, 1983. Mr. Koury and his sister, Miss Olga Koury, had owned and operated the store together for a number of years.
Mr. Koury opened the store in 1945, just after his discharge from the United States Marine Corps. From about 1937 to 1943, he operated Koury's Confectionary. His sister and his parents, the late N. Koury and Martha Moore Koury, were also active in the business. In addition, the elder Kourys operated a Five and Ten Cents store in Steele beginning in about 1927.
Phillip Koury was born March 19, 1924 in Cairo, Illinois.
A member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Caruthersville, Mr. Koury was a Lay Reader in the church.
He was united in marriage to Yolanda Dajan June 8, 1952, in Blytheville. Mrs. Koury preceded him in death December 27, 1976.
Mr. Koury was a vocalist of note in the area, having sung for various churches and organizations. He had, in fact, been a part of a Rotary singing group entertaining at River Oaks Nursing Home the evening prior to his death. In earlier years, he was a soloist for glee clubs at Arkanas State College and the University of Missouri.
A charter member of the Steele Rotary Club, Mr. Koury was a member and past president of Steele Chamber of Commerce, and he had also served as a member of the Steele City Council.
He was a member of Steele Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge No. 859 and of American Legion Post No. 88. A member of Steele Lodge No. 634 AF&AM (Masons), he held advanced degrees in that work being a member of Moolah Temple, Bootheel Shriners Club (of which he was Chaplain), and Scottish Rites of St. Louis. He was also a member of Mt. Zion Cemetery Board.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 13, 1983 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Caruthersville with the Rev. Charles Watts officiating.
Burial was in the Mt. Zion Cemetery at Steele, with John W. German Funeral Home of Steele in charge of arrangements.
Scottish Rites Rose Croix ceremony was held Saturday night at the funeral home.
Mr. Koury leaves his sister, Miss Olga Koury, of Steele and aunts and uncles of Beirut, Lebanon, cousins and friends.
Active pallbearers were A.P. Kersey, Jr., Hezzie Highfill, B. F. Rogers, David Kelley, J. W. Rinehart, and Reginald Watkins.
Members of each organization of which he was a member were honorary pallbearers.
Contributed on 3/18/14
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Record #: 748990