Namdar Bayat

Namdar Bayat, 89, of home land of Iran and of his adopted country of USA and second home of Houston, Texas, passed away on May 19th, 2026 in Katy, Texas.

A memorial to reflect on his memories, life and legacy will be on May 30th 2026, 3:00 PM until about 5:00 PM, Garden Oaks Funeral Home, 13430 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77083.

We will then meet at his favorite Persian Restaurant at Kasra Persian Grill, 9741 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042, at about 6:00 PM.

Arrangements are by Garden Oaks Funeral Home.

He had waited for me all night with unchanged conditions, sleeping. As soon as I walked into the room the next morning, his heart rate started dropping. I held his hand and I told him that I was there, that we will be ok, it was okay to let go, and not to be afraid. At that moment he let go of this life, with his hand in mine. He went in peace and not distraught. I am so happy that I got to be there and that he wasn't alone.

He fought so hard and for so long. He was one of the most resilient and strongest people I've ever known. He was a survivor. He saw so much in his 89 years.

He survived famine as a child, grew up working hard to take care of his siblings and family. He loved his birth country and his people. He was the top graduate of the Royal Military Academy of Iran. He raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the regime change of 1979. He witnessed the loss of his comrades and so much more and he survived. He served his country for the extent of the Iran and Iraq war and retired honorably after over 30 years of serving his people, as a Brigade General. He was always there for his family and his extended family and tried everything he could to protect and provide for them during the treacherous times of post revolution and war time the best way he could.

Destiny brought him here twice, once in 1963 for Airborne Ranger school and once again in 1990 to live the rest of his life.

He was a very proud American. He was so proud to have trained among American soldiers, and for being an Airborne Ranger. He would have been proud to have been an American soldier if his destiny had allowed it.

He immigrated to the United States in 1990 and by 1993 he was able to bring us here as well for a chance for a better life away from extremism and to give us freedom.

He was loved by so many. He was generous, loving and kind. He was so brave.

He worked so hard with the dream of having his family and children together someday.

One of his favorite sayings was, the biggest risk is not taking a risk at all.

His other favorite say was, yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.

Thank you for everything you did for me and for my freedom. You were a great man, friend, brother, cousin, father and papa.

I'm not glad that you're gone, but I prayed every day that you will be at peace and I'm glad that you are finally free too.

You will always be in our hearts. Say hi to your brother and sisters and grandmas and all of our loved ones including the furry ones.

We love you. Until we meet again.

He brought us here. He gave us a chance to live free.

His name, Namdar, meant the one with name, like person of legacy...he definitely left a legacy behind. I hope that I fulfilled what I could, to use the gift of freedom and the opportunities I was given that I would not have had otherwise if we weren't here.

To our family and friends who were there for him and loved him and gave him your friendship, thank you. He loved y'all so much.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to, The PTSD Foundation of America/ Camp Hope, Wounded Warrior Project, Houston K911 Rescue or Mutts And Meows Rescue.

Namdar is survived by:

His adult children Anahit, Azita, Artemiz and Nader

His grandchildren, Griffin, Hamed and Yasna

His cousins Samad and Mohammad, their respective families

His nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews and their extended families

His son in-law Gregory and his extended families

His extended family across the world and the amazing friends who have become our family throughout the years as well.

He is preceded in death by his brother Iraj, sisters Shaheen and Shahnaz and their parents.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has shown love and friendship to our Namdar, especially in these past trialing months and have been there for him.