Vinodrai Desai

The Early Years: Vinod Desai was born to the late Lallubhai and Rukshmaniben Desai in the town of Vesma, Gujarat, India. He had two brothers and one sister: Dholatrai, Ishwarlal, and Madhu. He went to primary school and advanced to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology. 

 Marriage: He met his wife, the love of his life, Jayshree Bhatavdekar, and eloped on February 12, 1966. Vinod and Jayshree had their first child, Kedar, in Navsari in 1970.

 Journey to the United States: Vinod immigrated to the United States in 1971. Jayshree and Kedar followed 1 year later. They lived in Baltimore for a short period of time and then relocated to the Carolinas. Malhar, their second son was born in 1975 in Columbia, SC. 

 Living in the U.S.: The Desai family lived in several towns in NC and SC: Columbia, Greensboro, Morganton, Lumberton, and Fayetteville. After their time in the Carolinas, Vinod and Jayshree moved to Georgia where they settled in the suburbs of Atlanta. After his wife Jayshree passed away, he spent his last 9.5 years in Charlotte living with his son and daughter-in-law, along with his two grandchildren.

 Career: Vinod was an entrepreneur at heart. He owned a Dunkin Donuts and several motels during his time living in the Carolinas. He spent most of his working years in the hospitality industry.

Vinod was a man of few words and was comfortable in the presence of others and activity around him. He was an observer and had his own quiet style of caring for those that were close to him. Vinod had a love for art, and even taught it as a young adult. He was a religious man and enjoyed going to the various mandirs in the towns he lived in. He loved his family very much. He loved movies, both Indian and American, and had a good run with casinos in his early adult years.

 Vinod Desai, age 83, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home in Charlotte, NC on Saturday September 7th, 2024.

 Vinod is survived by his sons: Kedar and Malhar Desai; His daughters-in-law: Sheetal and Ketaki Desai; His granddaughters: Mira and Sophia Desai; And his 2 beloved granddogs: Juno and Angus. Vinod cared greatly about all of his extended family: sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He spoke of them often and fondly.

 Vinod’s presence will be greatly missed. May he rest in eternal peace. Om Namo Narayanaya.