Morad El-Jourbagy

.Morad El-Jourbagy, aged 70, died on Wednesday, October 11, surrounded by his wife and children.

Born in Cairo, Egypt, on May 25, 1947, he was raised in a modest apartment in the Cairo neighborhood of Sayeda Zainab, within earshot of the local mosque’s daily calls to prayer. He attended Cairo University, where he received his degree in chemistry and geology.

Following college, he travelled throughout the Middle East and Europe, and on his travels, when staying at a youth hostel in London, England, on October 10, 1970, he met the woman who would become the love of his life and mother of his children, Carla Eggen, of the Netherlands.

After that chance encounter, the two maintained a long distance relationship, consisting of letters between Holland and Egypt. In 1973, the two were reunited in the Netherlands, and within a month, they married. They happily welcomed their first child, Natalie, in December of that year in Canada, where they moved together in an effort to increase their opportunities. While there, Mr. El – as he became known locally – got a degree in science education from Windsor University, where he heard about job opportunities in Georgia.

After interviews in Gainesville, Sparta and Monticello, he accepted a position teaching science at JCCHS in 1981, where he spent the rest of his career teaching science and later serving as the Technology Coordinator for the school system. He is also a graduate of Georgia College, where he was awarded a Masters of Science Education in 1986.

Mr. El retired in 2014 and was able to travel and enjoy the company of his children, grandchildren and friends and to serve the community through Kiwanis and the Jasper County Mentor Program. Throughout his years, he was a fixture at the gate at home football games, as a judge at the Bus Road-eo, a super-walker at the Deer Dash (winning his division one year) and has been involved with rec sports, especially soccer, and extracurricular activities such as Science Olympiad. He is also a graduate of Leadership Jasper.

Mr. El loved his family and his community, and he was very proud of every student he ever taught. He always sought to help others and to serve as a positive example for his children and students.

He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Carla El-Jourbagy, his children Natalie (Steven) Nellist, Jehan El-Jourbagy (Tyson Harty), Rami (Molly) El-Jourbagy, and Jasmine (Matt) Jernigan and grandchildren Sam and Colette Nellist and Ryker, Faraday, Steen and Kestrel Harty, two sisters, MahiranJan El Shourbagy and Madiha El Shourbaby and his brother, Makram El Shourbagy as well as nephew Haitham Attabi and neices Heba Attabi and Loretta and Manar El Shourbagy.

He is preceded in death by his parents Hameda Ahmed Sadek and Mahmoud El Shourbagy.

Jordan Funeral Home assisted with the green burial located at their family cemetery on Wednesday, October 11. A public memorial service and reception was held on Saturday, October 14, at Jasper County High School.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Monticello Kiwanis Club in support of children in this community.