Mohammed El-Attrache

Dr. Mohammed Mike El-Attrache, 75, a resident of Abilene since 1965, passed away Saturday Morning, May 17, 2008.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, Tuesday, May 20, at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 HWY 277 South. His funeral service with Dr. Jeff Reid officiating will be held at 2:00PM, Wednesday, May 21 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Masonic graveside rites will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park, Garden of Ten Commandments.

Mike was born in Jebel Druze, Syria. Upon graduating from Brumann High School in Lebanon, he came to the United States in 1952 to further his education at Texas Christian University where he obtained both a Bachelors and Masters Degree. He met and married his wife, Shirley Heinemeyer, in 1957. He later completed his academic education with a Ph.D from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. El-Attrache moved to Abilene in 1965 and began his tenure at McMurry University. For nearly a quarter century as a Political Science Professor, he developed and chaired the Department of Political Science and was instrumental in creating the Pre-Law Program, Para-Legal Studies and the West Texas Model United Nations WTMUN Program. In addition, Dr. El-Attrache touched many lives through the sponsorship and advisement of over 40 international students for the pursuance of a higher education at McMurry and other universities.

Along with finding a successful career and rewarding profession in Abilene, Mike along with his wife Shirley created an open and caring household for their three sons, numerous relatives and family friends.

Academically, Dr. El-Attrache was an honorary member of the National Historical Society Phi Alpha Theta, the American Political Science Association Pi Sigma Alpha and the Romance Languages Association Phi Sigma Iota. He spent the majority of his academic career focusing on Middle Eastern affairs and chaired and led many panel discussions on the volatile subject. This information and expertise was sought by numerous circulations and resulted in authorship and quotes in several published articles.

Mike was also a member of the Norman, Oklahoma Masonic Lodge, No. 38, a Knight Templar York Rite Masonic and a Shriner.

Mike will be greatly missed by multitudes of relatives and his immediate family. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his eldest son, David and wife Lisa, his youngest son John and wife Stacie; grandchildren Morgan, Parker and Stone.

His loving son Mark, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McMurry University, M. El-Attrache WTMUN Scholarship andor any Masonic Charity.
ate of

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
5:30 to 7:30

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606