Surinder K Arora

Surinder K. "Sonny" Arora, 84, of Kenner, LA, passed peacefully on September 28, 2025 at home surrounded by family and friends. Sonny was born in September, 1941 in Peshawar, the capital of the North-West Frontier Province, India before the partition. With the help of his uncle Jack Chawla, he came to the United States in 1969. He attended college and worked for a shipping company while attending night school. After leaving the shipping company, he worked with Jack at C&E Enterprises which would become one of the largest auto parts wholesalers in the Greater New Orleans Area. In 1980, he took a leap of faith and formed Sunny Ventures through which he owned several businesses ranging from service stations to ice cream shops.

Sonny balanced his ambitious professional life with an unwavering commitment to his family. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled in those who knew him. He believed in the power of family and dedicated his life to creating a loving and supportive home. Sonny's advice was sought by many, and his calm presence was a source of comfort to all who knew him. He will be missed by many.

He was predeceased by his parents Manohar Arora and Shakuntula Devi, his sister Kaval Kharbanda and brother-in-law Satish, his brothers-in-law Ajit Lamba and Ashok Lamba, his uncle Jack Chawla, and cousin Joyce Chawla. He is survived by his devoted wife, the love of his life of 52 years Beena Arora, daughter Puja Arora, son Sumit Arora, daughter-in-law Sejal Arora, and the lights of his life, his grandchildren, Raina Arora and Simi Arora. He is also survived by his sister, Sujata Arora (Rajan), sister-in-law Suman Lamba, Mary Chawla (beloved Jack), Naresh "Tony" Chawla (beloved Joyce); Rakesh "Bobby" Chawla (Kiran); Rajesh "Roger" Chawla (Sarita), Lee Chawla (Kristen), and nieces, Renu Verma (Harish) and Anju Thayal (Shelly).

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Visitation which will begin at 1:00pm followed by the Funeral Service at 2:30pm on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Jacob Schoen & Son, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. To view the service via livestream and to sign the family guestbook, please go to www.schoenfh.com.