Rasoul Karimi
Abdoul Rasoul Karimi was known most often as Rasoul but sometimes as Russ, Ray, Roy, Ross, Raymond, and depending on the neighborhood, RayRay. Rasoul was born in Shiraz, Iran in 1954. He was 72 years old when he died at his son’s home with family by his side where they remained every minute of his last days. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Ruthie Karimi. Together they raised three children Clayton(Melissa), Nathan(Jo Terese), and Jordan(Nicholas). He was loved most of all by his grandchildren Layla and Lillian; Maren and Seamus; Grace and Finnegan.
He will be missed by his brothers Aziz(Merzieh) and Nabi(Noushin), his sisters Sarah(Henry) and Sunny(Bert), his mother Ashraf and his father Abbas who precedes him in death. Moving from Iran to the United States in 1976, Rasoul quickly began work while attending college. It was at the Parkmoor restaurant where he met his future wife, Ruthie, along with many more who would become lifelong friends and family. It was while working at the Parkmoor that, with Ruthie’s support, Rasoul was able to bring his family to America to pursue their own versions of the American dream. And in this way, he became and remained the foundation and pillar of strength for his own family and all the families whose lives he forever changed. Rasoul’s lifelong dedication to serving his family will continue as we all look to serve each other in his honor for many generations to come.
Rasoul was very proud to have spent his career with St. Louis University hospital where his hard work and dedication provided full college scholarship for all of his children. He loved spending time with family more than anything else. His love for travel and people and culture and life was truly special, diverse, and contagious. He was equally excited to navigate the train systems of Madrid and Paris as he was to trade jokes with toothless strangers at Missouri flea markets. Rasoul loved to pick a direction and drive for hours with no notice, requiring only that the car was filled with kids, and enough fruit to feed an orphanage. Rasoul’s life cannot be summed up easily but perhaps the greatest way to write him is to say that he was a man who to his core lived with extreme devotion and selflessness for his family. He was a family man in every sense of the word and he left a legacy of children and grand children who will gather often and tell stories about him. About wild ass Rasoul. The man, the myth, the legend.
Papu.
Grandpa.
Baba.
Daddy.
Rasoul’s Memorial will be held on 04/04/2026 at Queeny Edgar M. Picnic Shelter – Smith, Ballwin Ballwin Missouri beginning at 02:00 pm.
Memorial contributions can be made to Circle of Concern in Valley park
Too many funny, crazy Rasoul stories to write here but a picture paints a thousand words and the picture of him here is quintessential Rasoul! He is loved and missed ❤️
Rasoul was a wonderful brother who gave us so many beautiful memories. One of his greatest strengths was how deeply he loved and valued his family.
I was still very young when he moved to the U.S., but I vividly remember how often he wrote letters to all of us. There was no WhatsApp or Telegram, and phone calls were very expensiveat that time! His letters were never just one or two pages, they were usually five pages or more. And when he included pictures, it was like a bonus. It was a lot for someone who was both studying and working full time.
One of my favorite memories with him in the U.S. was our two week camping trip across several states. He would drive confidently without maps, there was no GPS back then, and somehow we always had the best adventures and the most fun together. I miss him so very much❤️😥
Rasoul was always so welcoming when I stayed at his house with Jordan. I remember Rasoul teaching me so many things when I was a teenager over at Jordan’s house— how to change my oil, how to negotiate pay, and caring for everyone in his own unique way. I love how he would get really passionate about certain topics and was always home with family. I will remember all of Rasoul’s sides…his joking side, his giving advice side, his hard-working side. How many people can say they literally built their own living room? The same living room many joyous family gatherings happened in. I am forever grateful to have known Rasoul and I will miss him deeply.
I have countless fond memories as I grew up down the street from the Karimi family. As kids, Rasoul would take Jordan and me rollerblading where he held our hands going down the “scary” hill. Jordan and I always got McDonald’s the morning after a sleepover thanks to our notes asking him politely 😄. He always made sure I got home safely as I spent a lot of time at the Karimi house. He will be greatly missed but the memories will be forever cherished!
My handsome and kind brother has always been my protector. As a child, I remember how he would play soccer with his friends back home, and he would always bring me along so I could watch his games. I also remember when he bought me my very first pair of prescription glasses—they were purple, round, and so stylish at the time. That memory has always stayed with me.
When he came to the USA, we missed him so much. I will never forget when he and lovely Ruthy came to Turkey to bring Baba, Maman, Sunny, and me back with them. They welcomed us with open arms and such kindness in their hearts. Both of them were working at Parkmoor, and Ruthy was also going to nursing school, yet they still gave us so much love and support.
When I started dating, he made sure I was with the right person. He would carefully watch and even investigate the guy, until I met Hank. Then he knew I had chosen the right one.
When Kevin was born, he was the first person to come see his nephew. He was so happy. He was the best brother and the best uncle to Kevin and Jason. They had so much fun with their Uncle Rasol and made so many wonderful memories together.
He always put family and friends first. If I tried to write everything about Rasol, I could write a whole book with all the memories we shared and all the trips we took together.
I am so proud and grateful that he was my brother. I will never forget him or all the sacrifices he made for our family. I miss him greatly.
I am also so glad and blessed that we have Clayton, Nathan, and Jordan, along with their families, in our lives.
When I think about Rasoul, a million memories come to mind. I remember growing up, meeting him for the first time in highschool. He always knew how to make everyone laugh. The first time I told him I had a sister named Annie, he said “you know, that means shit in Farsi” with raised eyebrows. I loved being around him, he was always ready with something hilarious to say. He also was always trying to generously share whatever he had with others. I remember spending time at the Karimi house, often sitting on the comfortable couches with Jordan and her mom, while Mr. Karimi would be making Three Bean Soup on the stove or offering me hummus with a full bag of chips and plate of chopped peppers. He would show me each of his Persian carpets with pride, and even encouraged me to buy a Persian rug for my dorm at Mizzou. Although his rugs were handmade from Iran and mine was from Amazon, he loved to see it displayed. One of my favorite memories I have was when I lived in Austin. He came to visit Jordan and invited me to spend the day with them. We spent the day exploring downtown shops, drinking Kava, and hiking the Ladybird Lake trail. When we went hiking, he saw a group of young people trying to take photos and immediately offered to help, even laying on the ground to get the best angle and taking dozens for them to choose from. I remember how gentle and sweet he was, the first time he met my niece, who was just a few months old, he described her as “delicious”. I knew what he meant, she was so tiny and we just wanted to eat her up. Mr. Karimi was such a loyal person, and always wanted to be supportive and let you know he thought the world of you. I can recall going through a tough breakup, and Rasoul knew I was upset. He would lean in and tell me conspiratorially “that guy always wanted to be the center of attention”.Through and through, Rasoul was an amazing father and friend, and I will miss him always. I am so grateful to have known him and spent as much time with him as I did.
As a co grandparent of Grandchildren Maren and Seamus, I do know he was very full of love not just these two but all kids. Thanks, Rasoul. They’ll miss you dearly but we will too.
Rasoul was my handsome cousin-funny and full of life.One of the things I remember most about him is how he always did his best for everyone around him, especially for me.when I married a man I didn’t really know in New York,he told me, am always here for you if he turns out to be a bad guy. I have never forgotten those words.
May his soul rest in peace for all eternity.
Oh Rasoul…. proof that a “larger than life” soul doesn’t need a large body to hold it. His personality, his love, and his unique passion for life filled every room he walked into. For a large part of my childhood, the Karimi household was like a second home, and through that, Rasoul and Ruthie were incredible to me, and any other kids that might be hanging out there – always making sure we were safe but never letting that stop us from having adventures. I’ll always have fond memories of trips to local parks, Soulard Farmers Market, or taking part in any kind of shopping experience where you were allowed to haggle over the price. Rasoul made ordinary days unforgettable.
He kicked soccer balls with us (tried to teach us to juggle like he could), kept a watchful (and slightly intimidating!) eye on anyone who played too rough, and taught me things I didn’t even realize I was learning at the time, like my first introduction to the stock market, and a very vivid lesson on the dangers of motorcycles. I’ll never forget the day he came home with his leg bloodied from a fall and said, “If you ever ride a motorcycle, I’ll kill you.” That was his way of loving, fiercely and protectively.
Rasoul and Ruthie welcomed me into their family so completely, around the table for birthdays and holidays, sleepovers and just quick pop-ins – but I never felt like a guest. I was just part of the family. Honest to God.
Getting to know the Karimi’s (thanks to Brandon) the last 15 years has been such a pleasure. Rasoul and Ruthie welcomed me with open arms and plenty of jokes that usually went over my head lol I loved seeing them and their relationship with Clayton, Nathan, and Jordan. You could tell how much they loved their kids and grandkids and it was admirable. Love you Karimi’s, I’m so sorry for your loss!
How do you say goodbye to God’s greatest gift to the world? An amazing human being, I’m glad to have spent some time with, laughing continuesly along with Ruth. You made my wife and I feel welcome and special. I’ll miss you on my trips through Missouri.
Such a loving soul. So inviting and kind. I learned a lot about plants from him. May your beautiful soul linger in your lineage. Rest peacefully King.
Muse family