After a courageous battle with Glioblastoma, Basem Sulaiman Shammas, of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was a man of humor, wisdom, and cherished every moment spent with the people he loved.
Basem was born February 26, 1955, to Dr. Sulaimon and Lamea Shammas. Basem was the fifth of six children including Bassima, Amal, Fayza, Nabil, and Sabah Shammas, who all survive. Basem married Jill Gerline in 1983 and they have two children, Natalia (Casey Riggs) and Samir (Courtney Shammas). Other family members include the Greg Gerline family (Marlene, Geoff, Melissa, Jason, Conner, & Adam) and the Jan Sandman family (Brent, Chloe, and Emma).
Basem lived in Kuwait prior to boarding school where he was educated elementary through high school at the American School in Beirut, Lebanon. He attended Pepperdine University where he played soccer, attended Franklin College where he was the kicker for the football team and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Evansville.
He spent his engineering career at Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) working in Kuwait as well as in Southern California. He retired from KNPC after 25 years and started his second career as a soccer and tennis coach at the high school and college level. Basem loved teaching/watching kids learn how to play a sport while teaching important life lessons about teamwork and tenacity. Coaching was so rewarding to him as he loved being able to make a significant and positive difference in a person’s life. Basem received numerous awards during his coaching career including being selected as the “Coach of the Year” by the Mid Hoosier Conference multiple years.
Family was the greatest gift to Basem. Basem treasured being a father. He loved his children fiercely and always commented that time spent with family was life’s greatest gift. Basem was also a great dog dad to Coco Chanel whom he loved profoundly. Coco joined our family at the perfect time as she became Basem’s favorite companion given her unconditional love and loyalty. Coco provided both Basem and Jill emotional support when they needed it most. Basem also had loads of love for his grand dogs: Bjorn and Palmetto. Basem enjoyed cooking authentic Arabic dishes, playing guitar, and sitting outside at home with his family overlooking the lake. His home and his family were the two things that you could always count on to make him happy.
Basem was a member of Mt. Pisgah Church. A special thanks to our dear friend and pastor Robb Barlow for his unwavering support. Thank you for the continual prayers and support that you provided to our entire family. God continues to bless our family.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers during his illness at Indiana University. Thank you, Dr. Kathryn Nevel, Deb Racster, and the Infusion staff, as each of you made such a difference in our lives. We also want to thank Benesee and Major Health Partners for their outstanding care. A special thank you to Dr. Michael Eaton, Dr. Jill Cole, and their staff for taking care of Basem during both of his cancer journeys. An exceptional thank you to Dr. Chris & Rhoda Loman for taking care of us like family. Your kindness, sincere caring and concern make everything better. Thank you to the Marietta Volunteer Fire Department for coming to our rescue. Thank you, Issac Pile, for always dropping everything to assist with our needs. A particular thank you to Dr. Dawson who did not know Basem or our family but was beyond wonderful and such a comfort to our family in the final days. A huge thank you to the MHP Emergency Department staff, Radiology team, and Med Surgical staff for keeping Basem and our family so comfortable during the worst of times. You are all true angels!
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, October 13, 2024, and from 11 a.m. to Noon, Monday, October 14, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
Funeral services will follow at 12 noon on Monday, with Rev. Dr. Robb Barlow officiating.
Private burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville following the funeral.
Memorial contributions may be made to Benesse Oncology Center, 2455 Inteliplex Drive, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with Basem’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
