Carl R. Abady's Obituary
Carl Abady; died peacefully at 88 years of age in his home in Dallas, Texas, on December 17, 2017. He had kidney disease for the past 5 years and fought such a good-hearted battle. He never complained, to the point where his family would have to ask him if he needed anything or if he was in pain. Even though the family knew his end was near, the final separation last Sunday was still a shock to those who will so greatly miss him. Carl was comforted in those final moments by his wife, Jo Abady, and son, Andrew Abady. He passed while his daughter, Ann Abady Mosher of Omaha, Nebraska was on a plane coming to be with her parents on that difficult day. Just minutes before Carl’s death, Jo whispered to him “Jesus is calling you.” She was comforted knowing he had accepted Jesus into his heart five years ago. Carl went on to meet his Messiah. Carl was an astute entrepreneur with a keen eye for fashion. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with his parents Morris and Frances Abady and his brother Al Abady who have all preceded him in death. He received his undergrad and graduate degrees in Business and Economics from Case Western Reserve. He then joined the Army and spent two years in the Korean War serving our country. Given Carl’s lack of any type of handyman or mechanical ability, the family always enjoyed hearing about (ok, maybe laughing about) how he managed a fleet of trucks and Army vehicles in Korea. But then we would realize that he wasn’t chosen for that position because of his mechanical ability. Carl was always in leadership positions because, well, he was a leader. A caring and concerned leader. In Philippians 3:17, God instructs us to learn from one another. When Carl started a ladies’ manufacturing company (Prophecy Corporation, in 1970) so many of his 600 employees benefitted from just that: both his ability to be a good friend and his knowledge. He had an endearing quality of imparting a new tidbit of knowledge to each person with whom he interacted. Carl had a vast knowledge of history, places and just…things. His business acumen was astounding. He started out his career in marketing and sales and, according to a former employee, was “a true marketing genius.” He strove to drive his customers to a purchase that made them confident and also resulted in success for all parties. Carl didn’t just want to sell a product. He found joy in the long term satisfaction of his customers. Carl pushed employees and family alike to learn new things. He gave guidance, but he also let us fail. After trying to teach Ann to drive in the stick shift he had chosen for her first car and after a couple of harrowing backward slides down steep hills during her first lessons, Ann announced that she would no longer learn to drive on a stick shift! Carl pulled her little red manual Nissan Datsun 200sx into their front circular drive of their home and left it there. He told Ann that she would learn to drive that car or she wouldn’t be getting her driver license. You can probably guess what ended up being Ann’s first car. As was mentioned, handyman projects were not Carl’s strong point, but he adored his family and would do absolutely anything for them. Therefore, the times when outside help wasn’t available, Carl would take on the project himself. His family remembers a time when they were all sitting at the dinner table and a foot came crashing through the ceiling: Carl was up in the attic trying to fix something for his beloved family and his leg was literally dangling over the kitchen table. Another time, the family awoke to a full “Carl body” outline broken out of their sliding glass patio door. In an attempt to take care of early morning chores for his family, he had sleepily walked right through the glass door. Jo and Carl were married 55 years ago. Their whole marriage, including the years he has been ill, Jo stayed by the side of her long time best friend (in fact, the morning after she met him, she had been so charmed on their first date, that she told a co-worker she had met the man she would spend the rest of her life with). Many have commented that they have never seen a caregiver more dedicated than Jo—she would do anything for her beloved Carl. As is so characteristic of Carl, he died on the 5 year anniversary of the day Ann’s life was saved. In 2012, she wasn’t supposed to live until Christmas without open heart surgery. She had the surgery on 12/17/12. Carl would have given his life for his family, so the symbolism of him dying on a day when his daughter lived, holds a special place in the family’s heart. When asked to give three words to eulogize Carl, Jo described him as focused. He would give each person he was talking too his full attention. Amongst a crowd, he would make you feel like the only important person in the room. He actually had a red phone in his Prophecy office dedicated only to Jo, Andrew and Ann. They always knew that they were his priority. Jo’s second word was delightful. Carl delighted, led, influenced and blessed many. Lastly, Jo chose peaceful. Carl brought calm into any situation—carrying that even onto his deathbed. In addition to Jo, Andrew and Ann, Carl left behind three adoring grandchildren and a son-in-law, Charles Mosher, who respected and admired his father-in-law. Sophie (16), Annabella (14) and Adelaide Mosher (11) loved their Grandpa and are honored to sing “It is well with my soul” at his service. The time to celebrate Carl’s life and legacy will be Tuesday, December 26 at 12:30pm. Please join us at Restland Funeral Home (13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas) in Wildwood Chapel. A lunch reception is immediately following in the Restland reception hall. Carl made such an impact wherever he went that his kidney Physician’s Assistant asked if they could set up a training program in his name. Carl was a patient at the University of Texas Southwestern and the “”Abady renal training program” has now been set up there to help train others to care for patients like Carl. Memorial contributions for this program may be directed to UT Southwestern Medical Center, PO Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888 or online at donate.utsouthwestern.edu (choose the green “donate now” button on the right). Please indicate that it is for the “Abady Renal Training Program”. Jo will receive acknowledgment of any gifts given in Carl’s name. Thank you for taking the time to read about our husband, father, mentor, friend and so much more: Carl Abady.
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