Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Jihad (Jay) Richard Darwish, 56, of Austin, Texas. He left us on November 28, 2021 after a brutal fight with COVID-19.

Jihad (or Jay to most of his friends) was born in Beirut, Lebanon to Anna Rose and Mohammad “Moody” Darwish on July 2, 1965 during a family vacation.

Once back stateside, Jihad was raised in Orange, Texas and graduated from West Orange Stark High School, then went on to graduate from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science where he found success in his field and was a valuable asset to the notable construction firms he worked with through his long career.

Jihad was a friend to everyone he met.

His humor and gift of making everyone feel at ease will be deeply missed, and his family and friends are devastated with his loss.

He was predeceased by his mother Anna Rose Bilbo, father Mohammad Darwish, and his second wife Jodi Darwish.  He is survived by his children Jackson and Madison Darwish of Austin, TX from his first marriage, his sister Rose LeDoux of St. Petersburg, FL, his brother Bryan Gill of Lake Charles, LA, nieces Chelsea LeDoux of Wesley Chapel, FL, Meredith Gill-Champagne of Lake Charles, LA, nephews Justin LeDoux, Stewart Gill and Sam Gill all of Lake Charles, LA, his step-mother Barbara Darwish of Sulphur, LA and former fiancé Alyssa Sparks.

There are so very many stories of a very full, yet short life.  He could make anyone burst into laughter with just an eyebrow lift.

His sense of adventure was iconic, and his love & quest for the perfect steak is legendary.

Jihad was blessed with the cultural mixings of French Cajun and Syrian parents, so it was nothing unusual to have crawfish and hummus on the same table at any given time.

He loved to cook, especially for his children, who share his belief that good food plus good friends means good times.

Two memorials, one in Austin, TX and the other in Lake Charles, LA will be scheduled later in the Spring of 2022.