Gholam Ahmadifar

He was the oldest of 7 children and had three brothers and three sisters. His parents were hardworking and humble people, his father was a mason and bricklayer and his mother worked as a maid for her husband's half-sister. When Joe turned 14, he was selected to enroll in a technical training program for three years, after which he would be prepared to become a worker at the largest oil refinery in Iran.

In 1962, while still working on his upper school studies, Joe completed the three-year training and was then hired to become a technical worker. This job opportunity allowed Joe to really help his family financially and removed a large burden off his parents. While continuing his duties as a refinery worker in the NIOC Refinery, usually working six days a week in dangerous and degrading jobs as "worker # 199459", Joe continued to study hard for his final year upper school exams. In May 1968, Joe graduated with First Place Honors and was photographed and featured in the local newspaper. Four months following his honors graduation, Joe made history in his oil refinery by becoming the first worker to be promoted from "worker" to "staff". "Staff" had so many opportunities, they were paid significantly more and worked only three days per week, while also having their own housing districts, schools, cinemas, as well as numerous other amenities.

Following a bike crash in the winter of 1963, Joe seemed to come alive and invigorated towards achieving more education and a better life. In turn, he began to seek out opportunities to ensure he would be able to have educational prospects. Shortly after, Joe completed the necessary requirements and saved enough money to finally come to the US - on the way towards achieving his dream for a higher education. He arrived in DC in 1970 and then made his way to Oklahoma and completed and received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Oklahoma City University in 1975. He went on to attend the University of Oklahoma where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1979.

In 1975, Joe went back to Iran for a visit and married his now estranged, soon to be ex-wife, Shahin, who came back to the US with him. After having completed two bachelor's degrees, Joe was ready to be near his family. In 1979, Joe and his wife and their two-year-old daughter, from whom he is now also estranged, moved back to Iran.

From 1980, Joe worked in a high-ranking position for the Ministry of Oil in the Esfahan Oil Refinery until 1987. In September 1980, Joe had his second daughter, four days into the Iran Iraq war. This was followed by his son shortly after in December 1982. In 1987, Joe returned to the US with his wife and three children, settling in Oklahoma City. He obtained his master's in industrial technology from University of Central Oklahoma in 1995. By the year 2000, Joe had completed his hard-earned doctorate degree and now had a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Oklahoma.

For almost fifteen years, Joe worked at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality as an Environmental Engineer, retiring in 2011. While at the DEQ, his true passion for teaching came to light and Joe began teaching various college courses as an adjunct professor at two Oklahoma colleges as well as UCO. He began his final and most impassioned role to date, a full-time associate professor at the University of Central Oklahoma teaching various courses in the Department of Adult Education and Safety Science. During this time, Joe also published two autobiographical books.

Having served the community as a full-time professor for over 10 years, Joe unfortunately was forced into retirement shortly after his cancer diagnosis just this year. Just mere days after attending the Fall 2022 Graduation Ceremony at UCO, Dr. Joe became ill and was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. Sadly, but peacefully and with loved ones and his true family at his side, Joe passed away in the early hours of Monday morning, November 13, 2023.

Joe is survived by his daughter Shokooh, son-in-law Mark and their daughter Veyana of Edmond, Oklahoma; his son Afshin of Oklahoma City; and multiple brothers, sisters, cousins, and other family members. Joe is also survived by his estranged, soon to be ex-wife Shahin and his estranged daughter Shari and her family of Texas.

Joe, sometimes called Mr. Ralph Lauren, was a man of exquisite style and taste and had been from a young age. He loved life. Every minute of it. He loved the time he spent with his family the most. He would drop by just to be around everyone. To share in the moment. He was the cornerstone of our lives. He had such a beautiful heart. His laugh always brought a smile to your face. He sacrificed so much for everyone, and it brought him joy to see everyone happy.

Joe was loved by so many people. There wasn't a person that didn't absolutely love Joe after meeting him! Joe was truly an inspiration and changed so many peoples' lives. He believed in hard work, honesty, and perseverance! He made a difference in some many people's lives. He is leaving behind a giant void but also an incredible legacy.

A funeral service for Gholam will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the UCO Dr. Joe Scholarship.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Ahmadifar family.