Lloyd Alfred Joseph Pragasam

Dr. Lloyd Alfred Joseph Pragasam fell asleep in Jesus on September 3, 2020.

Alfred, as he was best known, was born August 25, 1946, in Nuzvid, India to James and Rose Prakasam. He was the second of four children: his older brother, the late Felix Prakasam, and two younger sisters Evelyn and Evangeline. The Prakasam family lived in several places in Southern Asia throughout Alfred’s life: Sri Lanka, Assam, Calcutta, Trichinopoly, Bangalore, Hapur, and Bombay. At the age of 14, Alfred left for boarding school. First, to Spencer Road Middle School in Bangalore, then to Lasalgoan Seventh-day Adventist Higher Secondary School and then Spicer Higher Secondary School of Seventh-day Adventists in Pune, both in Maharashtra. After high school, he enrolled in Ludhiana University to study engineering, but after final exams fell on Sabbath, he transferred to Spicer Memorial College (now Spicer Adventist University) and completed a degree in physics. Following graduation, Alfred joined the faculty at Spicer for one year.

In 1971, Alfred married Florence (Flory) Vedamony, and the two immigrated to the United States and lived in Maryland for two years. By 1973, they moved across the country so he could attend at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Alfred graduated in 1976, and then completed his residency in general practice dentistry. Their first child Tescha, was born in 1977. Jamie followed in 1980, and James rounded out the family in 1981.

Alfred voraciously kept up to date on the latest innovations in dentistry and operated two successful dental practices that he later consolidated into his practice in Redlands. He was a talented dentist, extremely generous in providing dental care even to those without dental insurance. Alfred had patients who came from long distances for his unique style of dental care and he was noted for his humor, friendliness, and excellent care to anyone who sat in his dental chair. Traveling overseas on dental mission trips was one of the ways he gave back to the dental community and to humanity as a whole. Ever the hard worker, Alfred was very involved with LLU’s School of Dentistry and served as alumni president for two years. He also served as a peer reviewer for the California Dental Association.

Alfred was a people person, life of the party, attender of all weddings and special events he was invited to and welcoming to many of the students in the Loma Linda community. He hosted a dinner for incoming dental students each year, and his home was always open to family, friends, and friends of friends for many Sabbath lunches. His home showed his personal touches and love of nature with his Koi fish and turtle ponds and garden with many fruit trees—a source of great enjoyment especially for children visiting. Faith, family, and good friends were his pillars of support. With his hearty laugh and bright smile, his most joyful moments in life came from helping others.

He was involved in local church life as well, serving as a deacon, children’s Sabbath school teacher, and then when grandchildren Lauryn and Andrew arrived, helping with their classes.

Alfred was a deep thinker who delved into the Bible through regular studies and had a particular interest in Daniel and Revelation.

Though Alfred and Flory divorced in 1987, they were excellent coparents to Tescha, Jamie, and James. In his last several years as their relationship mended, all five of them were often together for family celebrations and travels; and enjoyed grandparenthood when Lauryn, Andrew, Jack, and Emi were born. In the final months of his life, Flory helped care for him and was at his bedside as a family when he took his final breath just one week after turning 74.

Alfred is survived by his three beautiful children: Tescha Karpenko (Larry); Jamie Kim (Earnest); and James; and four grandchildren, Lauryn and Andrew Karpenko and Jack and Emi Kim; and two sisters, Evelyn Massey and Evangeline Samuel; along with nieces, a nephew, their spouses and children; and a host of friends who loved him like family.