Ghaleb Sunna, 80, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on April 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Ghaleb Matta Sulieman Sunna was born on June 7, 1944, in Madaba, Jordan, the youngest son of seven children born to Matta and Widad Sunna. He grew up with four sisters and two brothers: Nawal, Sulieman, Sami, Mary, Rowaida, and Najwa.

He attended school in Madaba and Amman, Jordan and later completed an additional year of studies in Jerusalem in pursuit of a university opportunity. In 1968, with just $165 to his name, Ghaleb arrived in the United States. On his first day at the University of Texas at Arlington, he sat next to a young woman named Kathy. Before the school year ended, they were married—on May 9, 1969.

Ghaleb and Kathy went on to complete their degrees, build their careers, and start a family. They made their home in Mesquite, Texas, where Ghaleb worked as a civil engineer for the Texas Highway Department. Known as a tough negotiator, he earned the nickname "Bulldog" for his resolve in contract discussions. That same tenacity helped him provide for his family through side ventures like buying and selling cars and funding regular trips to Jordan to visit his mother and siblings.

After surviving a heart attack and open-heart surgery in 1993, Ghaleb took up daily 5–6 mile walks with Kathy, a habit that kept him healthy and active for over 30 more years. Their walks—sometimes with a dog or two—were a daily ritual of connection, filled with conversation about their children, grandchildren, plans, and life around them. Their example of devotion and togetherness left a lasting impression on their family.

Upon retirement from the Texas Highway Department and later the Texas Tollway Authority, Ghaleb naturally continued doing what he loved most: caring for his family. He could often be found traveling between homes to check on things and make both necessary and unnecessary repairs. He happily babysat his grandchildren—Noelle, Sam, Ben, and Sorette Sunna—until they were grown, then passed on his love of Arabic cooking to them. A dedicated host and grill master, Ghaleb brought his family together around meals and memories. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Ghaleb is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 56 years, Kathy; his daughter and son-in-law, Christi Sunna and Ernie Escontrias; his son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Kristen Sunna; and five cherished grandchildren: Noelle, Sam, Ben, and Sorette Sunna, and Ella Escontrias. He is also survived by his sisters Mary, Rowaida, and Najwa, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Matta and Widad Sunna, and his brothers, Sulieman and Sami Sunna and his sister, Nawal Sunna.

Ghaleb was a devoted member of Saints Constantine & Helen Antiochian Orthodox Church for nearly 40 years. Memorial gifts in his name may be made to the Church.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., at Saints Constantine & Helen Antiochian Orthodox Church in Carrollton, TX, with Father Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery, Dallas, TX.