Rehimhan (Rehim, Ray) Babaoglu's Obituary
Rehimhan (Rehim/Ray) Babaoglu was born in Milan, Italy 1946, and passed away at his home in Memphis, TN on August 24, 2023. His parents, Rehimhan and Tarlan Nadir (née Heti), and his two brothers immigrated to the United States aboard the USS General W. G. Haan in 1951. After being processed through Ellis Island, the family settled in Newark, New Jersey in the north ward. There, he attended Barringer High School and listened to Frankie Valli sing in the neighborhood.
After graduating from Barringer, Rehim attended Rutgers University where he graduated in 1969 with a degree in Russian language and literature. While at Rutgers and up until his passing, he was a proud member of the Glove and Stick fraternity. He was a member of the Scarlet Knights’ wrestling team until an injury forced him to retire and forgo his promised Olympic career. It was at Rutgers that he met his one true love, Lydia Amelia Zajcew. They married in 1968 (which almost did not happen as his brother, Selimhan, forgot the ring. Selimhan bent space and time to retrieve the ring and triumphantly returned right as the organ started playing).
In 1973, Rehim served in the US Army Reserve in Hattiesburg, MS at Camp Shelby as a medic in the 330th General Hospital Unit. Then he and Lydia moved to midtown Memphis to start their lives together and raise two children.
Rehim attended Memphis State University College of Law, where he earned his JD in 1974. And thus, his love of the University of Memphis Tigers was born.
After graduating from law school, Rehim embarked on an illustrious forty-five–plus year career specializing in immigration law. He was passionate about serving his legal community. He was honored by Super Lawyers of America as a Super Lawyer in the Mid-South. He was named one of the Best Lawyers in America for his work in immigration and consumer law. He served the Memphis Bar Association as a member of its board. He was on the board of directors of Memphis Area Legal Services for nearly twenty years — two years as chair. He also served on the board of directors of Mid-South Immigration Advocates.
When not practicing law, through Lydia’s extensive history as a ballet dancer, Rehim became a board member, dance-floor installer, and window-unit air conditioner installer of the Memphis Ballet Company. He was known as the best lower half of the Nutcracker’s Mother Ginger that has ever been recorded in modern history (Lydia served as the illustrious top half). His joy for operas by Verdi — and for the voice of Pavarotti — were well-known. A die-hard Yankees fan (you can take the boy out of the neighborhood, but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the boy) and University of Memphis Tigers football fan, Rehim could always be found at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, coaching from afar and cheering on his Tigers. He was a Tigers football season ticket holder for over forty years and never left a game early (even in EF5 tornadic weather).
Rehim was an ardent lover of animals, the arts, the ocean, and the environment. He is listed in The Guinness Book of World Records for being the benefactor to the most “Save the (insert your favorite animal here)” organizations. He happily spent his free time volunteering for many local causes, smoking Cuban cigars and later in life, dining with the ROMEOs (Real Old Men Eating Out).
Above all, Rehim loved his family. He is now at peace — reunited with his love, Lydia, his parents, his brother (Selimhan), and several dear friends. Salute to one fun, heavenly reunion party (although per Rehim, don’t leave your drink unattended!).
He is survived by his daughter, Lara Babaoglu Reynolds (Michael), and his son, Rehim Christopher Babaoglu.
Services are private with a celebration for Rehim scheduled for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rehim’s name to the Memphis Zoo (https://www.memphiszoo.org/donate ), New Ballet Ensemble and School (https://newballet.org/donate/) or the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (https://www.paulwatsonfoundation.org/donate).
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