Khalil Mahmood Esaw-El

Khalil Mahmood Esaw-El, formerly known as Charles Earl Esaw Jr, was born in Harvey, Illinois on July 29, 1974 and returned to Allah on December 27, 2024. 

Khalil is the son of Evie Lynch-Hakeem, of Waukegan and Charles E. Esaw, Sr., of Chicago, and the stepson of Hasan Hakeem of Kenosha,Wisconsin.

While searching for answers to the burning questions of life, Khalil was introduced to Islam by his stepfather. After reading and studying the Holy Quran, Khalil decided to accept Islam and in1992, shortly after graduating from Waukegan High School, performed shahada at the hand of the Fourth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, at the former home of the local AMC chapter at 2103 Gabriel Avenue, Zion, Illinois.That same year he changed his name to Khalil Mahmood Esaw. Khalil was keenly aware that no one, including himself, knew when their time in this space would end. His faith led him to have discussions with his wife about life and death and how he wanted to be remembered and buried. He was a minimalist his entire life. So it was not a surprise that he requested that he be buried in a pine box. His choice may be repugnant to most in America, but is a tradition in most Muslim countries, and was his wish.

Khalil was a husband and proud father. He was an avid reader, a searcher for truth, protector of his family and defender of the legacy of his grandfather, Paul W Lynch Sr. He and his mother, Evie, were working on completing their extensive family tree through their mother's mothers because he believed that it was the mothers who held the key to reclaiming our family's land in Mississippi. He also, like his grandfather, was a fighter for justice using himself as a catalyst for change. He was a former over-the-road semi-truck driver for 5 years, He loved Pit Bulls, and owned and bred several over the course of his adult life. His two most admired Pits, Cane and Duce are still with his family. Many of his litters were adopted by friends and relatives.

Khalil leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of four years, Jacki Cave Esaw, three stepchildren, Victoria, Zayden,and Maurice; his eldest son, Khaliq Waliyy Esaw and grandson, Felix Gray Esaw; sons, Jari Esaw, Jalil Esaw, Khairi Esaw, and infant daughter, Nairobi Esaw. Also cherishing his memory is his father, Charles E. Esaw, Sr., of Chicago, IL., his mother, Evie Lynch-Hakeem, of Waukegan, IL., his siblings, Stephanie M. Esaw, of Round Lake, IL., Kristopher L. Esaw, and Yusef I. Hakeem, of Waukegan, IL., along with his maternal aunts, Barbara R. Davis, Sherry Lynch, Shaton P. Wolverton, and Lorinda Lynch all of Lake County, IL., Kendra L.Davis of TX; his maternal uncles, Dave E. Lynch, of TX, and Ronald E. Lynch, of OK. Also mourning his passing are his paternal aunts, Lorraine Perry and Arlene Esaw, and paternal uncles, Levon Esaw, Frazier Thomas Jr., Daniel Thomas, Samuel Thomas and Johnny Thomas of Illinois, and Esaw aunts and uncles residing in Detroit, MI., Biloxi, MS., and Dumas, Arkansas. Khalil was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Paul W. Lynch Sr., Frazier Thomas Sr.and LeWaren Esaw; grandmothers, Alma Harper Lynch and Bernice Thomas, uncles, Paul W. Lynch Jr., Lenord Lynch, and aunt, Lucille Thomas. Khalil has several hundred extended family members impacted by his passing along with local friends and schoolmates in Lake County, IL., and beyond. His final request is that our family strengthen their bonds of kinship and take care of one another, pray for him and protect and support his family.

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