Bharatkumar Patel

With his larger-than-life personality, entrepreneurial spirit, charitable heart and passion for life and food, Bharatbhai left an impression on everyone that he met. Born in Ahmedabad India to Motiben and Lalbhai Patel, Bharatbhai grew up in the Jangipur neighborhood and attended the prestigious St. Xaiver school in Ahmedabad. He later immigrated to America in 1972 in search of the American dream, without knowing many and without having much. Along with acquiring several degrees and patents under his belt, with his wife Prabha, he established a successful multi-hotel business. However, his genuine passion involved giving back to his community both in America and India. Bharatbhai was a philanthropist supporting educational scholarships and their local Hindu temple. With his charitable heart he was able to donate a bus stand in his family town of Paliad, India. [Insert more examples]. He was a pioneer and co-started informal gatherings for Indian cultural events in Cordele, Georgia and surrounding areas. He was also a prominent member of the Gujarati Samaj of Eastern North Carolina.

Bharatbhai was extremely social and lived life to the fullest: one could find him dancing the night away at parties and garba or socializing with his brothers and other family and friends. All that visited his home were welcomed whole-heartedly with fresh homemade dinner and a cup of hot chai. Bharatbhai also was a world traveler: every year, he would either take long road trips or vacation to international destinations. Most importantly, Bharatbhai was a loving grandfather. Each summer he would gather his three grandchildren at his home in Hampton GA, where he would lovingly treat them with homemade food and homegrown fruits and vegetables. He loved taking the grandkids on golf-cart rides and playing games with them. Along with being a loving husband, a supporting older brother, a compassionate father and granddad, Bharatbhai was also a foodie. He loved to experiment with flavors and was obsessed with fresh food and anything spicy. He also throughly enjoyed drinking chai.

Bharatbhai Lalbhai Patel passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020 in his beloved birth town of Ahmedabad, India. His memories will continue to be remembered by his wife Prabhavati Bharatkumar Patel (Prabha); his daughters and sons-in-law: Hetal Patel, Maulik Kumar Patel, Bharvi Patel and Pratish Kumar Patel; his grandchildren: Kriya, Dhruv and Devansh; his siblings and sister/brother-in law: Sakerchand Patel, Mahendrabhai Lalbhai Patel, Shardaben Mahendrabhai Patel, Mukeshbhai Lalbhai Patel, Jyotsnaben Mukeshbhai Patel, Dineshbhai Lalbhai Patel, and Rekhaben Dineshbhai Patel and all other family and friends.