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Rameshchandra was born on October 31, 1948 in Baroda, Gujarat, India to Chaturbhai Narotambhai Patel and Jyotiben Chaturbhai Patel. He was a quiet, introspective child who loved being outdoors. He received degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering in 1969 from MS University and worked as an assistant production engineer for Jyoti Ltd. On May 11, 1971, Rameshchandra married Jyotsna Ambalal Patel, and together they had four daughters. To provide more opportunities for their young children, they made the difficult decision to leave their birth country and the life they knew behind to immigrate to Katy, Texas in 1982.
They worked tirelessly to create a new life in the United States. Rameshchandra worked for many years at Exxon until progressive weakness led to a diagnosis of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Despite the limitations of the disease, he never complained and remained steadfast in his roles as husband and father. He enjoyed sharing stories of his life in India and persisted in giving life lessons, guidance, and advice to his family throughout his life. With his perseverance, Rameshchandra lived a full life of happiness and dignity with the love and care of his family.
Rameshchandra loved his wife’s cooking; and Jyotsna, his most fitting complement, loved to make the foods he loved to eat. He cherished having his whole family gather for dinners and holidays. Playing with his grandchildren brought him pure joy. He enjoyed watching Indian movies and shows, and he was passionate about cricket matches and Houston’s sport teams.
Rameshchandra thrived on his wife’s and daughters’ happiness. He taught his children to work hard to achieve what they wanted. He encouraged them to do their best and to be their best for others. He loved to proudly say that he had all his bases covered because in his daughters, he had a teacher, an engineer, a doctor, and a lawyer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Jyotsna Ramesh Patel; daughter Kinnari Patel Hoover and her husband, Stephen; daughter Rupal Patel McMillan and her husband, Chad; daughter Deepa Patel Somcio and her husband, Ray; and daughter Shital Ramesh Patel. Rameshchandra’s loving legacy continues on in his beloved grandchildren: India and Hannah Hoover, Anya and Riya Somcio, and Noah and Anjali McMillan. Rameshchandra is also survived by his sister, Urmilaben Manilal Patel, and many nieces and nephews.
Rameshchandra was preceded in death by his parents, Chaturbhai Narotambhai Patel and Jyotiben Chaturbhai Patel, and his siblings: Kantaben Manibhai Patel, Dineshbhai Chaturbhai Patel, and Ushaben Dinbandhu Raval.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association https://www.mda.org/make-a-donation or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to his care providers, Ana Bonilla (17 years) and Martha Ali (6 years), for the exceptional care and compassion they provided to Rameshchandra.
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