Casim E. Olwan, 91, of Cedar Rapids, passed on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a short illness. Brosh Chapel is serving the family.

Born September 28, 1924, in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of the late Hajj Ollie and Esta Olwan. Following his 1942, Ashland High School graduation, he served in WWII with Patton's Third Army.  Returning from the service he graduated from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

A six-year journalism career with two newspapers in southern Ohio, preceded twenty five years in the restaurant/bar business in Toledo, Ohio.  Humorously, he often referred to his departure from journalism and becoming a restaurateur was "a need to eat".

Before total retirement he provided twelve years of courier service to Iowa Realty.

Survivors are his wife Fatima; his daughters Dr. Dena Olwan (Dr. James Snowden) of Sioux City, Danya Karram (Dr. Michael) of Cincinnati, Ohio; his son Damon Olwan of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Alexandra and Adam Karram; step-children Jeff (Julie) Barnes and Julie (Reese) Lambert; step-grandchildren

Jessica Stiers, Chelsea and Spencer Barnes, and Hunter, Hudson and Hagan Lambert.

He had three great passions: pride in his American/Arab heritage, par excellence Kentucky basketball and "What If? Holy Cow Cubbies."

Private services have been held at Muslim National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids or the charity of choice.