Joginder Singh "Yogi" Gahunia

JOGINDER "YOGI" SINGH GAHUNIA succumbed to pancreatic cancer at 3:20 am on Saturday, January 26, 2002, with his family at his bedside. He passed away peacefully and without any pain. He was born August 25, 1943 in the small village of Sujjon in Punjab, India to Bachan Kaur (Saini) and Puran Singh Gahunia and attended Aria High School in Garshankar, Punjab. After moving to London, England in 1966, he received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Isleworth College in Honslough, England in 1970. He then married his wife of almost 31 years, Resham Kaur (Banwait) Gahunia on April 14, 1971. In 1973, he opened the restaurant "Away Fare" in Birkshire, England. He later immigrated to the United States in 1979 and later that year, opened a restaurant named "The Front Row Restaurant" in Cleveland, Ohio. He moved to Houston in 1981 becoming a Real Estate agent until 1985. In 1986, he opened the first North Indian fast-food restaurant and bakery at that time in Houston, "Raja Sweets", 5667 Hillcroft, which is still run by his family. He was a very active member of the local Indian community serving as Founding member of South Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Asian-American Political Caucus; Board member of the India Culture Center; and member of the South Asian Political Action Committee. He was also a very active member of the local Sikh community and former President of his church, Gurudwara Sahib of Houston. He served on many host committees and supported and contributed to various political campaigns such as President Bill Clinton, Vice-President Al Gore, Senator Phil Gramm, Governor Anne Richards, Mayor Lee Brown and City Councilmen Michael Berry and Gordon Quan. He is survived by his loving wife, Resham; daughters Kiran Gahunia and Sharan Gahunia; and his son Roger Gahunia. The family would like to sincerely thank the nurses and staff on the 8th floor, Main building at the Methodist Hospital, for making Mr. Gahunia's last days comfortable and pain-free. The family also wishes to extend sincere thanks to everyone who prayed for Mr. Gahunia's well being. A prayer service will be conducted from 7 until 8 o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 in the Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, followed by eulogies and visitation until 9 o'clock. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at Brookside Memorial Park Crematory, 13401 Eastex Freeway at Lauder Road. Gurbachan Singh will be officiating.