Lance David Hairabedian EdM,PTA,AT-R

Lance David Hairabedian joined his heavenly Father on Thursday, October 20, 2022, surrounded by his family, following a four-year battle with cancer. Lance was born on September 6, 1963, in Fresno, California to Louise and Ara Hairabedian, the youngest of three children. He was the grandson of Zepure Hairabedian and the first and only grandson of Arshavir and Varsen Zakarian. He was a beloved husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Life in the Hairabedian household centered around strong family values, church, schoolwork, family dinners, sporting events and those ever-memorable family vacations.

Lance was five years old when the family traveled to Mexico for the 1968 Olympic Games during his father Ara’s sabbatical. This was such a special time for the Hairabedian family. Lance was loved and admired everywhere he went. His love for travel grew from this experience. In addition to Mexico, over the course of his life, Lance traveled to Alaska, Canada, Europe, and all over the United States.

Lance graduated in 1982 from Herbert Hoover High School and he continued his education at Fresno State, a right of passage for the Hairabedian kids! He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Athletic Training in 1987. He worked hard in his classes and played hard with his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers making bonds that would last his lifetime. He went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science at Oregon State University, graduating in 1991.

After graduation, Lance worked at Fresno State as adjunct faculty in the Department of Kinesiology, and at Saint Agnes Medical Center. Throughout his career, he worked as a Physical Therapy Assistant helping many patients recover from debilitating physical limitations in inpatient and outpatient settings. Later in his career he opened Hairabedian Fitness, helping many of his clients achieve their personal fitness goals. Lance was certified through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association and was a California Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. He had a passion for learning and helping people which showed in his personal and professional interactions.

Lance met the love of his life, Trina, in 2001; they were married in 2003. Trina, her son Alex and Lance became a family. They were overjoyed when their son Max was born in 2005. Lance relished his role as a father and was happiest cheering Max on from the sidelines of his many sporting events. Lance considered Alex just as much his son as he did Max. When Alex took Lauren as his bride, he considered her the daughter he never had. Through their union he became a grandfather in 2014. He was a wonderful ‘Papa Lance’ to Sawyer and Adelaide, who loved him tremendously.

Everyone who knew Lance can attest to his strength, optimism, good humor and tremendous courage, especially over the last four years. He inspired everyone who knew him and his legacy of “HairabedianStrong” lives on in each of us.

He is survived by the love of his life, Trina, his son, Max; stepson, Alex Nickerson and wife Lauren, grandchildren, Sawyer and Adelaide Nickerson; sister Melena (Mimi) Koligian and husband Keith, nephew Adam Koligian, nephew Phillip Koligian and wife Rachel, great nephew Ara Koligian, great niece Ani Koligian; sister Tami Garry and husband Jim, nephew Grant Garry, niece Taylor Garry Gerard and husband Paul, great nephew Theodore Gerard and numerous cousins.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 28th, 2022, 10 a.m. at Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, 3673 N. First Street, Fresno, California, 93726 under the direction of Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair. Please visit www.whitehurstsullivan.com for more details.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church or Donors favorite charity.