Hamod Sallie

Hamod Sallie passed away from natural causes at the age of 89 at the Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on August 17, 2010. Hamod or Ham was born on March 25, 1921, in Sioux Falls to Syrian-Lebanese parents, Fatena Ameen and Said Sallie, who came to the USA during World War I. He was raised and lived most of his life at 1404 East 5th Street. Although only 5'8", Hamod was very well-built, athletic, and tough as a boy and man. He played football and was an excellent boxer. He learned to speak, read, and write English well even though Arabic was the main language used in the household. He graduated from Washington High School and then enlisted in the Army Air Force for 6 years during WWII. He was an injured survivor in a military plane crash which took the life of his best friend. Hamod was a highly patriotic American and an American-First supporter with respect to American national interests in foreign policy and justice in the Middle East conflict. Hamod had a host of jobs over the course of his lifetime. He worked on assembly line jobs in Detroit, Minneapolis, and DC. In one of those jobs, he tried to help a coworker save his job on an assembly line. But his good intentions cost him the use of some of his hand functions and mobility. A strong supporter of capitalism, Hamod was also an independent salesman, an owner of a restaurant, and of a women's clothing factory in Flandreau. His best talent though was as an auto mechanic. He enjoyed both playing the stock market and working on cars. Even at age 87, Hamod did his own mowing, pruning, and shoveling the walk. He was quite the handy man and there was nothing he could not fix. He lived frugally and in a responsible manner. In his spare time, he liked Chicago Bears football, as well as to fish and bird hunt. He was still getting head shots well into his 70s. Yet there were times when after much effort and expense, he could not bring himself to shoot and disturb nature?s beautiful tranquility. Hamod met Leona Glirbas of Greek and Norwegian descent during the spring of 1947. They eloped and were married on July 24, 1947, in Rapid City. For many years, they experienced the best times of their lives traveling across the country working outside jobs. They enjoyed the mountains where they camped and fished. They later settled in Minneapolis and then Sioux Falls, with each establishing a residence on the East side. Both were exceptional cooks, working well together in the kitchen at their best. Leona made the Syrian flat bread, meatballs, and desserts, while Hamod made the kibbee, shishkabob, and lentil dishes. Although they were sometimes separated by different job locations, money matters, and personal freedom issues, they educated each other almost daily and remained partners for over 63 years. Leona was by Hamod's side for two days until he passed away. Hamod is survived by his loving family members: wife Leona Ruth Sallie of Sioux Falls, son Dr. Steven Said Sallie and grand daughter Samantha Nicole Sallie, both of Boise/Santa Barbara, and daughter Stephanie Marie Sallie of Phoenix. The Sallie family asks you to love your life and family everyday, appreciate nature and respect animals, and serve other people particularly during hard times. Hamod was of Arab-Muslim descent who loved America first and its freedom. He was principled and courageous, willing to risk his life for people both in and out of the military, including when he had to be physically restrained at age 70 from jumping into the fast and swirling waters of the Missouri River in an attempt to save a drowning victim. When you hear his favorite cosmic songs, Over the Rainbow and The Highway Man, think of Hamod and Leona fishing under the stars. The Sallie family thanks the Veterans and McKennan Hospitals, as well as the Good Samaritan Center and Covington nursing home for their utmost professional and personable care of Hamod over the last 14 months. A special thank you goes out to a wonderful family, Donald, Alice, and Bret Glirbas, for all of their humane concern and timely assistance.