Raja John Prasad

The Rev. Raja John Vara Prasad passed away on April 17th, 2012 at the age of 75 years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Esther Kalyani Prasad. Rev. Prasad was the youngest of nine children born to Devasahhayam Todeti and Manikyammma Kodali in 1936 in Andhra Pradesh, India. He lost his parents in childhood and despite the hardships of being an orphan, he was committed to pursuing his education. With the help of his brother, the late Rajaratnam Todeti and sister, the late Manikyam Epuri, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Andhra Christian College and Master’s Degree from Sagar University. Rev. Prasad immigrated to the United States in 1966 to attend the Dallas Theological Seminary. He later transferred to the University of Dallas where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree. Following graduation, he worked briefly as a financial analyst at the Frito Lay Corporation before deciding to pursue his lifelong dream to become a minister. He obtained the Master of Divinity from St. Paul’s Theological Seminary in Kansas City Missouri and was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. He served as a minister for parishes in central Missouri and central Texas until his retirement in 1988. Rev. Prasad also was an associate professor at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas where he taught accounting and finance classes. In 1988, he and his wife moved to Houston, Texas and in 1993, they established QHS Enterprises Inc. In 1999 Rev. Prasad founded Sahay Management Inc. He served as president of both companies until 2006. Rev. Prasad also served as a minister for the Telugu Christian Fellowship in Houston, Texas, an organization he helped to establish.

Rev. Prasad is survived by his son, Immanual Vijaya Prasad and wife Nazia and their children Monica, Ameena, Saira, and Kalyani as well as his daughter Mary Prasad Cirino and husband Paul Cirino and grandson, Nathaniel. A celebration of his life will be held on April 28th at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston Texas.