Pikeville, Kentucky—J.I. Saad, a well-known photographer, and pioneer movie house operator of Williamson, West Virginia, and Pikeville, Kentucky died Saturday at the age of 90. The death occurred on January 14, 1978, at 10:55 am in Pikeville Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.

Saad operated early movie theaters in Pikeville and Williamson shortly after the turn of the century. In 1912, he opened IMP Theater in Williamson and continued its operation until 1926 when he built the Weddington Theater in Pikeville, operating it until 1929. The newer movie house burned down after begin ignited by a burning house across the street.

He was prominently known in Williamson for many years as a photographer, maintaining the Saad Studio on Third Avenue, opposite City Hall, and adjacent to the Bassett Confectionary store. He also operated a photographer’s studio in Pikeville for many years, traveling throughout the area to make photographs in individual homes.

Born in Lebanon, on June 12, 1887, he was the son of the late Assef and Numnum Abou Jamra Saad. He attended Beirut University and the Photographic Institute of Chicago. He was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.
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Survivors include his wife, Clara Sword Saad, whom he married on February 14, 1914; two sons, John I. Saad of Santa Barbara, California, and Paul A. Saad of Tampa, Florida; two daughters, Mrs. Lucille S. Smith, Pikeville postmaster, and Mrs. Rose S. Farley of Frankfort, Kentucky; two sisters, Rahija [Abe J. Bassett of Columbus, Ohio,] and Della (Nasseph McCarus of Charleston, West Virginia;) eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 
Funeral services were scheduled at St. David Episcopal Church, with burial in the Sword Cemetery at Island Creek.