Raju Kizhakkeveettil (K.K. Raju), age 75, passed away on September 3, 2021. He was born on May 22, 1946, to the late Kunjachen and Pennamma Kizhakkeveettil, in Karunagappally, Kerala, India. He married Vijaya on December 27, 1971 in Kerala, India and they shared 49 years together. They relocated to Amman, Jordan in 1972, and then immigrated to Mesquite, TX in 1977.
Raju was blessed with a loving family, which included their daughter, Sonya mol (deceased) and two sons, Sony and Saji. Raju and Vijaya raised their two sons, Sony and Saji Raju with patience, love, discipline, and humility. Raju always spent time teaching his children the importance of keeping God first and spent much time teaching the Bible to his sons.
Raju worked as a Radiology / MRI technician at various hospitals in the DFW area, including Zale Lipshy, Parkland, and the Dallas VA before retiring in 2005. He spent many of his retirement years coordinating tours to the Holy Land with many families, friends and people from all over North America. He was a devout Christian and always a proud and faithful member of the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch. He was actively involved in the church serving as part of the Executive Committee, Building Committee, and a faithful and active member in the church choir. His faithfulness was an inspiration and source of comfort to all those who knew him.
Raju enjoyed traveling, spending time with his grandchildren and visiting with friends and family. He deeply loved his family and church community dearly. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his friends, church members and family – especially his grandchildren.
Raju is preceded in death by his daughter, Sonya mol; brother, K.K. John and parents, Kunjachen and Pennamma.
Raju is survived by his loving wife, Vijaya; sons Sony and Saji Raju; daughter-in-law Jolly, grandchildren Emily, Cassey, Paisley, Christian, Lauren and Andrew.
His sister, Lalamma and her husband, Yohannan Pallathu Jacob (Dallas).
His nieces, Raniya Philip and husband, Binil, and son, Akash; Reena and her husband, Johnson, their son, Deric, and daughter, Annamma (Saudi Arabia); Reni and her husband, Siby, and their daughter, Abigail; Annie, and her husband, Phillip Vaidyan, and sons Aaron and Abhishek.
Nephews: Sibu Yohannan, Johnson Yohannan and his wife, Siby, and their daughters, Shreya and Sharon.
A memorial service will be held at 6pm on Friday, September 10, 2021 at The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch, 11550 Luna Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. The Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 9am, at the same location with Very Rt. Rev. Dr. Cherian Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at the Rolling Oaks Cemetery, 400 Freeport Parkway, Coppell, TX, 75019.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to all Raju’s friends and family who have cared for and supported him in recent years.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rollingoaksfuneralhome.com for the Kizhakkeveettil family.
