Jack Hagop Dekirmendjian, vice president of GAHH Automotive, has passed at the age of 53, leaving behind a beautiful family, too many friends to count and an indelible impact on the auto upholstery industry.
Jack was born on March 16, 1969 in Beirut, Lebanon, and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. After graduating from Taft High School in Los Angeles, California, he joined the family business, GAHH Automotive, which has grown to become the restoration interior and convertible soft tops industry leader.
Jack was beloved by the auto upholstery community for his easygoing personality and deep knowledge about convertible tops. In fact, trimmers often referred to him as a “genius” for his ability to walk them through difficult soft top installs over the phone.
He gained that knowledge through decades of hard work, starting in GAHH’s manufacturing department, where he was also involved in research and development of new patterns and top installs. Even after working his way into an office job, Jack remained committed to learning everything there is to know about convertible tops. It wasn’t uncommon for trim shop owners to call or email him with questions, which he gladly answered as the Vice President of Sales & Technical Support.
The secret to Jack’s success was the relationships he forged with colleagues and trim shop owners across the United States, his son Johnny Dekirmendjian told The Hog Ring.
“I truly feel that my father’s relationships with his customers is unmatched in any other business,” he said.
“Because of his clear and open communication with his customers, my father was respected and loved by all of his customers. His coworkers truly loved to work with him as well. Due to his humility, kindness, humor and exemplary work ethic, Jack was everything one can desire in a coworker.”
His greatest accomplishment
Despite enormous success in the auto industry, Jack always said that his greatest accomplishment was his family.
He married Tania, the love of his life, on July 1, 1995 and had three children: Twins Joline and Jacqueline, 22, and Johnny, 21.
Jack adored family life, spending much of his free time fishing, boating and driving sports cars with the kids. He also enjoyed taking his dog, Enzo, on walks to his favorite park in Malibu.
“I will miss the car rides I used to have with him, when it was just the two of us talking about what is currently going on within our lives,” Johnny said. “He always gave the greatest answers to any question or struggles I had at the time due to his wisdom and intelligence. My father was my role model in every aspect.”
Joline said her father will always be remembered for the endless love and care he showed his family. “I’ll cherish every moment I had with my dad. But I will miss the little things the most. I will miss his good morning texts everyday. I will miss being his go-to person to run errands with,” she said.
Jacqueline said the lessons he imparted will guide her through life, and that no one will ever fill the void left by her father. “No one will ever come close to the type of father that he was,” she said. “He was the most caring and selfless person anyone will ever meet.”
Indeed, Jack was immensely proud of the life he and Tania had built, and sought to share his blessings with their community by donating to charities, including the Children of Armenia Fund.
Jack died on July 18, 2022, but the impact left on his family and the legacy he forged in our industry will endure.
May he Rest In Peace.
GAHH was is and always will be JACK!
Jack had great passion in everything he did and loved with a passion everything that was his..
If u ever are in doubt …….then just take a look at his family that is left behind,. Every piece of jack is on every single one of his kids this you know once u meet them all. Jack and Tania have created the perfect family and this by far is the biggest accomplishment or gift he leaves behind! How a man is measured is not only by all the great things he leaves behind it’s not about the kool cars, crazy jewelry or the beautiful house ,,the successful business they leave behind ….. it’s about leaving a piece of u inside everyone u leave behind!!!!!
Luv u JACK and ur beautiful and amazing family!!!
Jack was someone I never met in person but felt like he was someone I knew because of the time I spent on the phone with him. He was very knowledgeable,personable, and patient. He is missed…
Jack will always be remembered for his kindness and love for people. Will miss you my friend.
Jack was an amazing person, he was always there to answer any questions or help you in any way he could . He was GAHH!!!!!!! You are missed my friend
Jack was one of a kind. I will always cherish the fun times and memories we had together.
Love you my brother. Till we see each other again. Rest in peace
Your best friend!!
“ALWAYS REMEMBERED NEVER FORGOTTEN “
I meant check early 1990s , little story to tell two years ago we went to an event for our mutual friend Willow Spring as you know, bringing your own chairs to the entire day event at one given point talking, laughing having fun throughout the day I realize Jack was standing right next to me and I was sitting down for near one hour, so it was about time everybody to go home people start to leave. I asked Jack why are you standing? Come take my seat seat down you’ve been standing for a long time he said no that’s OK. I’m good like this nearly 45 minute later , Jack and his son start packing to get going home and then he came to me very humbled asking me if it’s OK he can pack his chairs to go home until today. I am not saying this because he’s not with us I think about his big heart because still alive in my mind & heart after one and a half hour, using his chair, he standing next to me , the kindness and generosity, and the humbleness of Jack never died in my opinion .
He was always reliable and honest. If he said he would express a shipment, it happened. If he said he would send a diagram by the end of the day, he did. Would have been easy for him to treat his customers like most business owners in the automotive trade but his ethics brought success which allowed him not to be desperate and defensive. Could tell he was a good guy without meeting him in person.
Jack would’ve always been a successful businessman, cause he did and meant everything he said. His calmness and niceness was admirable. Eddy and the guys always relied on your knowledge and I can’t tell you how many times in 43 years of business I heard “Call Jack!”
You will be missed by so many.
Prayers to your wife and family. They must be so heart broken.
Gonna miss you a lot Jack. Every Email and call was always returned right away. I appreciate the support over the last 3 decades and knowledge you shared. Know that your staff is doing their best to uphold your standard. I wish your family strength and compassion while they endure your loss.
Mahalo and Aloha,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our family also immigrated from Lebanon. God bless you all.
My brother and we’re both shocked to hear the news of Jack passing….I had called to place an order when I heard…I had never met him but I’d hope to possibly meet him at a trade show to thank him in person for his help whenever We needed it with a project…… So sorry for his family’s loss and we miss him
Not only my favorite cousin but also an older brother to me, he was always there when I needed him. I was proud and honored to have a cousin like Jack. Jack will be truly missed by everyone, his family, all his cousins and friends, but most of all he will be missed in the upholstery industry,
I thank him for passing most of his skills and knowledge to me to provide it here at OEM Plus Auto Tops, Inc. The last conversation I had with him, he stated “OEM Plus Auto Tops is our Future”
I will make sure your legacy continues… your cousin LJ