Mehmet Hasemir

Mehmet left this earthly realm on May 19, 2012, after a short time in Abilene Regional Medical Center. The course of events leading to his death began in February, 2003, when he became paralyzed from the waist down. Since that event, Mehmet had borne his disability with grace, through increasingly severe pain. He served as an inspiration to many.

Born 52 years ago under a tree on his family farm near Izmir, Turkey, Mehmet was one of eight siblings. He was the only dwarf. The dwarfism did not impede him through his life. He became physically strong working with his family on the farm with vineyards, sheep, cattle, horses and agricultural endeavors. Mehmet was intellectually strong. Through his schooling, he completed three of four years of training to be an imam. His study involved Islamic teaching, philosophy, and ministry to others. His father became ill and Mehmet left his training, going home to assist.

While working as a shepherd, Mehmet learned about Jesus. He studied with missionaries for a long time and chose to become a Christian. After this, Mehmet eventually had to leave Turkey. As a religious refugee, he traveled to Greece, New York City, Guatemala, and finally settled in Abilene.

In Abilene, until his paralysis, he worked as a baker and subsequently was the head kitchen manager for Alioli’s Gourmet Restaurant.

With many skills, Mehmet served Abilene. He spoke six languages; he was a superb chef, he was very computer literate. (For a time he was reading twenty newspapers from all over the Middle East and former Soviet Republics searching for evidence of human rights abuses to Christians. These reports went to an immigration lawyer in Houston.) He made trips to the hospitals to translate for doctors with Turkish patients. Mehmet spoke to various classes at Highland Church of Christ. He spoke to a combined group of missons majors at ACU. He taught future missionaries Arabic in his apartment. Mehmet set up and prepared large dinners for missions outreach programs at Highland. He helped a large group of Turkish immigrants adjust to American culture. Mehmet was wise, gracious, humble, and a delight to know. Until his disability became too difficult, he attended the Highland Church of Christ regularly.

With his disability, without any family, without any means of support, Mehmet’s life would have ended in 2003. However, there has been an outpouring of kindness and assistance for Mehmet from those in the Abilene community. Compiling a list would be daunting and probably very incomplete.

Special thanks and appreciation is extended to succeeding classes of physical therapy students from Hardin Simmons, many Abilene physicians who tended to Mehmet in his various medical needs over the nine years, Dan and Brenda McVey from ACU’s Missions Department, numerous friends from different spiritual groups-especially the Highland Church of Christ, the Administration and caring staff of Abilene Regional Medical Center, MedEx Medical Supply, Congressman Charles Stenholm, and A. L. “Dusty” Rhodes.

Mehmet touched our lives with his story of faith, his vibrant mind, and his humor. Most of all, Mehmet showed all of us tremendous perseverance and faith through increasingly severe and constant pain. At the end he told us that he “[wanted] to die, go to heaven, and see Jesus”.

Our belief is that this wish of Mehmet’s has been realized. Tall, strong, whole, Mehmet stands with the saints, praising Jesus and his God.

Memorial: Piersall Funeral Home, May 26, 2012, at 2:00 P. M.
Memorials may be sent to the Hasemir Fund, c/o the Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas.