Valiyapurayil Rajagopalan "Raj"

Raj was born on July 29, 1938 in Tellicherry in the state of Kerala, India. He grew up in his beloved Kerala where he studied Civil Engineering from Trivandrum University. Raj married Sreekala Dass on December 8, 1965. He was stationed for a time in the Andaman Islands where he lived from 1971-1972 with his wife and two daughters, Rajsree (Minnie) and Lavanya Nisha (Chingu). In 1972, they moved to the United States and lived for a short time in Chicago before settling in Goshen, Indiana. Raj was a member (and President) of the Lions Club.

Raj enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, and developed a love of painting. He painted many landscapes and portraits, many of which were from his memories in Kerala. He participated in many shows and art fairs over the years.

Though they loved the Goshen community, they left after having lived there for 51 years to Cary, North Carolina to be closer to their daughter, Minnie, and her family. There was nothing Raj loved more than spending time with his family, especially his beloved four grandchildren.

Raj’s kind and generous spirit will remain in the memories of all who knew him.

Raj is survived by his wife of 60 years (Sreekala), two daughters (Minnie and Nisha), son-in-law (Pankaj), grandchildren (Kiran, Jaishree, Nina, and Asha), and younger sister (Prasanna).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC, August 23, 2026, at 10:00 am.