Ramsey Jabbour, the founder of Competitive Cameras, passed away last weekend at the age of 72 due to complications from cancer. His death marks the end of an era for a man who significantly impacted the world of photography retail and left an indelible mark on the Dallas community.
Competitive Cameras, under Jabbour’s leadership, evolved into one of the largest camera specialty retailers in the United States. Located in an unassuming retail strip on Irving Boulevard near downtown Dallas, the store attracted customers from across the country. Known for its extensive selection of specialized equipment and exceptional service, Competitive Cameras thrived in a market where the ubiquity of smartphone cameras posed a significant challenge to traditional camera retailers.
Early Life and Journey to the United States
Ramsey Jabbour was born in Lebanon, where he spent his early years. His journey to the United States began with a desire for a better life and greater opportunities. In 1980, he and his wife Mary, who was pregnant with their second child, decided to leave Minneapolis in search of a new place to call home. They toured the country, exploring various cities, but it was the sight of the Dallas skyline that convinced them they had found their future. “Dallas was looking new and booming,” Jabbour recalled in a 2003 interview. “Growing up in the Middle East, everything was antique … you know, 2,000, 3,000 years old. Having all these modern buildings was very, very impressive to me.”
Founding Competitive Cameras
In 1982, Jabbour opened the first Competitive Cameras store in Garland, Texas. His business philosophy was simple yet effective: keep overhead low, work diligently, know the products well, and focus on volume rather than high margins. This approach allowed the business to thrive, and in 1999, Competitive Cameras relocated to its current location on Irving Boulevard. The store’s success can be attributed to Jabbour’s relentless work ethic and his ability to build lasting relationships with his customers.
One of the key moments in the store’s history occurred in 1987 when The Dallas Morning News needed a specialty lens for the papal visit to San Antonio. Jabbour had the lens in stock and personally delivered it to the newspaper, cementing a longstanding relationship with the publication. Tom Fox, a staff photographer at The Dallas Morning News, highlighted Jabbour’s long-term support for their photo department. Former staff photographer Allison V. Smith fondly remembered how she bought her first lens from Jabbour at the age of 19, a 135mm 2.8 for her Nikon, creating a special memory that she cherishes to this day.
Adapting to Changing Times
Despite the proliferation of smartphone cameras, Competitive Cameras remained relevant and competitive by catering to both professional and amateur photographers seeking high-quality, hard-to-find equipment. Jabbour’s deep understanding of the market and his commitment to customer service ensured that the store could offer specialized products and personalized assistance that big-box retailers and online giants could not.
Under Jabbour’s leadership and later his son Eugene’s stewardship, Competitive Cameras has managed to stay true to its name. Eugene Jabbour took over the store in 2012 and has continued to uphold his father’s legacy. Reflecting on his father’s life and work ethic, Eugene described him as embodying the American Dream. “He came to this country, put everything on the line, got up early, stayed late, and worked long after other men would have called it a day as he built Competitive Cameras into one of the most respected photo and video retailers in the country,” Eugene said.
Legacy and Community Impact
Ramsey Jabbour’s reputation extended beyond his business acumen. Known for his friendly demeanor and fair dealing, he preferred to call his pricing strategy “earth-bottom” rather than engaging in traditional haggling. “Our price is earth-bottom, so there’s nothing much left to negotiate,” he explained in an interview. This approach helped build trust and loyalty among his customers, one interaction at a time.
Jabbour’s contributions to the photography community and his support for local photographers have left a lasting legacy. “Photographers far and wide, both professional and amateur, have known Ramsey since his early days as a small business owner in Garland,” said Tom Fox. “He and his family have been longtime supporters of the DMN photo department and still are.” His ability to foster a sense of community and support within the photography world has been one of his most significant accomplishments.
Allison V. Smith, who worked as a staff photographer for The Dallas Morning News, described Jabbour as “a friend to all photographers.” Her experience of buying her first lens from him highlights the personal touch that characterized Jabbour’s business style. Such interactions helped create a loyal customer base that appreciated the expertise and personal service offered by Competitive Cameras.
Personal Life and Family
Ramsey Jabbour is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Jabbour; son Eugene and his wife, Melanie; daughter Gina Park and her husband, Jonathan; his brother Gabriel; niece Gigi; and grandchildren Preston Ghafar, Caitlin Jabbour, Olivia Jabbour, Jackson Park, and Sam Park. He also leaves behind grandnieces Isabella Uban and Sophia Uban. Jabbour’s family plans to continue running Competitive Cameras, ensuring that his legacy endures and that the store remains a pillar of the photography community.
Eugene Jabbour’s comments about his father underscore the depth of Ramsey’s commitment to his adopted country and the values he cherished. “My dad was born in Lebanon, but he became an American to his core,” Eugene said. “He put everything on the line, got up early, stayed late, and worked long after other men would have called it a day.”
Conclusion
Ramsey Jabbour’s life story is one of resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of the American Dream. From his early days in Lebanon to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Dallas, Jabbour’s journey was marked by hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. His impact on the photography community and the broader Dallas community will be remembered fondly by many.
Competitive Cameras stands as a testament to Jabbour’s vision and dedication. The store’s continued success under the leadership of his son Eugene ensures that Ramsey Jabbour’s legacy will endure, providing specialized photographic equipment and expert service to customers nationwide.
As the photography world mourns the loss of a true friend and mentor, Ramsey Jabbour’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and photographers alike. His life exemplifies the power of hard work, the importance of community, and the enduring pursuit of one’s dreams. Services for Ramsey Jabbour are pending, but his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched and the thriving business he built from the ground up. For more detailed accounts of Jabbour’s contributions and the ongoing operations of Competitive Cameras, visit The Dallas Morning News website. This story, distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC, highlights a remarkable individual whose legacy will continue to inspire and influence the world of photography for years to come.