Mohan Gundo Kokatnur, 92, a resident of Metairie, LA. He passed peacefully at home on December 5, 2022 with his wife at his side. Born in Belgaum, India on March 19, 1930 to Dr. Gundo Ramchandra Kokatnur (founder of Karnataka Health Institute) and Shanta Kumthekar Kokatnur. He earned a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at Ferguson College in Pune, India in 1955, and received his PhD in Biochemistry/Food Science at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1959. He was a clinical lab director/pathologist at Charity Hospital for 40 years. He was also a professor at LSU Medical School working with Dr. Jack Strong. A member of the Gamma Sigma Delta fraternity and the American Chemical Society, Mohan was also a founding member of the India Association of New Orleans, Marathi Mandal, Hindu Temple, and American Association of Indian Professionals. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Saroj, daughters Sharmila Mulkey and Vinita Lemercier, sons-in-law Mark Mulkey and Jean-Noel Lemercier, and 5 grandchildren, Nicole and Karina Mulkey, and Kalyan, Alexi, and Deven Lemercier. His funeral service will be held on Friday, December 9th, 2022 at 10:30AM at L.A. Muhleisen & Son, 2607 Williams Blvd, Kenner, LA.

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Published by The Times-Picayune on Dec. 8, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Mohan Kokatnur

Sponsored by L.A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home.

23 Entries

PRAVEEN ARAVINDRAO KOKATNUR

December 2, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Sharon Toranto

January 2, 2023

My deepest condolences to Saroj, Sharmila, Vinita and family. I have known Sharmila, her family for decades and know how close they were and are but know his light is always with you all. You all are surrounded by love, family and friends and we are here for you all.

Ronny and Rhoda Carr

December 11, 2022

Saroj and Family,
We prayed in our church this week that Mohan find eternal peace and joy. He was such a kind and gentle friend to us and those of our family privileged to meet him and we uare grateful to have had him in our lives.
Ronny and Rhoda Carr

Mahendra Saraf

December 9, 2022

A towering personality who made a big impact on all of us. Kaka had such vast knowledge varying from ancient India, to British India, politics, world religions, science and nutrition coupled with a fine art of storytelling. It was mesmerising to listen to him and learn. He loved his roots in India and specially enjoyed speaking Kannada. His India visits were so much fun.
He will be truly missed, praying to God to give him eternal peace.
Strength to Atya, Sharmila tai, Vinita tai and extended family. OM Shanti

Praveen Aravindrao Kokatnur

December 9, 2022

Nandan Yardi

December 9, 2022

I remember Mohanrao as a highly learned fashionable and brilliant gentleman who was family oriented and affectionate. I have over the years admired his move to America in the 1050's, when it was difficult to move and adapt to a new country so far away and culturally so different from India of that time. He was a big name in his field and always academically oriented and supportive of his extended family with whom he would love to meet and and connect each time he came to India.He is one of the persons who has encouraged me to become a doctor and has discussed various aspects of medicine over the years....he was very well informed in all spheres from travel ,history geography, philosophy to culture,especially Indian culture.
I will miss him dearly and also the long chats we used to have in person or on the phone.
I pray that his departed soul rest in eternal peace and for Sadgati.
May God give the family strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Purnima Satoskar

December 9, 2022

Such a pure soul....very rare to find. Simple and content, a total family man, loved to talk about various subjects esp academic topics. I was lucky to spend 3 weeks at LSU in 2000. We ate breakfast and lunch together every day and chatted on the drive to work. He and Pappa got along famously with lively reunions! May his soul rest in peace. Sarojmaushi, Sharmila, Vinita, kids, we are with you in your grief. Please take care.

Swati Saraf

December 9, 2022

A true gentleman in every sense. Fond memories of him on his India visits will stay with us forever. On his last trip to India we were fortunate to have his blessings. He will be sorely missed. Strength and prayers to Atya and family

Bharat Saraf

December 9, 2022

Many memories to cherish with him. Was such a lovely person with so much wisdom and knowledge about life in general. Will miss him always Strength to Atya and the entire family

Sanjiwani Saraf

December 9, 2022

The sad news came yesterday morning and we were lost in innumerable memories of dear Mohanrao. He was such a loving and lively person that we would eagerly look forward to their visits. Their stay was always exciting and and full of activities;Eating partying laughter visiting people and most fascinating for our children was to go to Sanman to eat dosas. Evening time was always chatting time . We all would sit around Mohanrao and Sarojtai and have a gala time. He always enthralled us all with various topics .We both Mohanrao and myself shared a very good rapport and I am going to miss him very much . God give him eternal peace and strength to dear Sarojtai,Sharmila , Vinita and family.

Anuja Saraf

December 9, 2022

We will always remember Mohan kaka fondly .. time spent with him on his india visits were always so full of knowledge and wisdom .. he was great host, taken such good care of me and Mahendra on our Denver visit .. our prayers are with you Saroj Atya , Vinita tai, Sharmila tai , kids .. Rest in peace Mohan kaka

Mahendra Saraf

December 9, 2022

A towering personality who made a big impact on all of us. Kaka had such vast knowledge varying from ancient India, to British India, politics, world religion, science and nutrition coupled with a fine art of storytelling. It was mesmerising to listen to him and learn. He loved his roots in India and specially enjoyed speaking Kannada. His India visits were so much fun.
He will be truly missed, praying to God to give him eternal peace.
Strength to Atya, Sharmila tai, Vinita tai and extended family. OM Shanti

Nandita and Anand Divekar

December 9, 2022

Mohan bhaoji was a gentle soul
He was always smiling
Everyone got on well with him
We remember your visit to Kent and our to New Orleans and The French quarter
You will always be remembered bhaoji
Rest in peace
Om Shanti

Raja & Anagha Paranjape

December 8, 2022

Mohanrao was a super pleasant person to be with and a very good friend. He was always considerate to people and had a knack of easily covering other people's flaws and avoided them needless embarrassment. He did so with tact & grace. We will miss him. May God bless his soul and give him eternal peace. Our deepest condolences to Sarojtai & their family.
Raja & Anagha Paranjape

Mary Lou Saraf

December 8, 2022

I first met Mohan when he came to visit us in CA in 1972 and stayed with us for a few days as he was on a business trip. During his visit I learned about the Hindu traditions, philosophy, and the way of life in India. During our discussions his deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures, Indian traditions, and his wisdom about how to live a full life left a deep impression on me and even after all these years I still remember his words as if it was just yesterday. Through all these years we kept in touch and visited them during the weddings of their daughters, Sharmila, and Vinita, and got to know him more as time went on. What made a deep impression on me throughout this time is how simple he was despite his many accomplishments and his deep wisdom. I shall miss him deeply. May his soul rest in peace.

Mary Lou Saraf

Dilip and Mary Lou Saraf

Sent Flowers

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Savita and Sudhanva Wadgaonkar

Sent Flowers

Col Dr Shashikant Joshi

December 8, 2022

Mohandada as we all fondly remember was very calm personality. As we vividly recollect ,he was very sharp and always update what's happening in India,too. Though we could meet him sparingly due to his commitments once he is in India and ours availability due to services requirements, we met him about couple of years back at Pune and had very fruitful chat.
We all will remember him for his humbleness and clear thought process.We will surely miss him.
Please accept our deepest condolences .
May God shower his choicest blessings to his pure soul.
Om Shanti

Vandana Kulkarni

December 8, 2022

Very saddened to hear about Mohan Dada's demise. We had last met him in 2019 in Pune at Amarja tai's house. He was an extremely affectionate person and he loved to meet relatives and friends. He was very down to earth though he was such a learned person. We will really miss him and his visits to India. Our heartfelt condolences to Saroj vahini, Sharmila, Vinita and their families. We pray to the Almighty to give you all strength to bear the loss. May his soul attain sadgati.
Sindhu Kaku, Vandana and Prakash Kulkarni, Bangalore

N ayantata Panse

December 8, 2022

Heartfelt condolences to vahini Sharmila, Vinita and all family members.
My dear brother Mohandada, I have his fond memories I will never forget them I will always cherish them in my heart.
He was a great man very affectonate, lovable brother to us,may his soul rest in peace and forever happiness.
Nayan

Anju ( Savita) Joshi

December 8, 2022

Heartfelt condolences to the whole family and Saroj Vahini in particular. Have fond memories of the few times we have met in India. He was a dear brother to us so many sisters! May his soul attain sadgati

Anand Saraf

December 8, 2022

What a self made and an accomplished person he was yet down to earth,with full of all round knowledge, eager to share with everyone,with pin to plane,philosophy to Indian heritage and culture,with the quotes of Bhagwat Geeta in Sanskrit, his academic researches and what not?
He had a long life with good memory which he utilised in story telling of families countries history as well as geography
We will miss that all now.
Sharmila very well covered with apt words. I know it is like keeping the sun in a small box,but you managed it very well and nicely,with lively and handsome photograph.
Let him rest peacefully
Love
Anand Saraf

Dilip G. Saraf

December 8, 2022

It is with greatest of sadness that I learned about Dr. Mohan Kokatnur's passing. He was my brother-in-law, joyously married to my sister, Saroj, for 59 years, and soon after joining our family in 1963 he became my elder brother I never had. Mohan was instrumental in my coming to the US for higher studies and becoming a US citizen soon afterwards. It has been an honor knowing Mohan as I did over the years, and his wisdom, integrity, kindness, helpful attitude, and listening to others' needs will always stay with me. His professional accomplishments are impressive as well and will be remembered for his contribution to research and teaching. Their two daughters, Sharmila and Vinita are a testimony to his humanity and a lesson in how to raise children in this world. May his soul rest in peace! I shall miss him beyond my ability to express it in words!

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