Khosrow Zolfoghary

Khosrow "Kris" Zolfoghary passed away peacefully on March 14, 2017 at his home in El Paso. He was 92. He will be remembered by family and friends as someone who instantly made you feel better after even a brief, chance encounter with him. And he was known for his wit, humor, generous spirit and affectionate smile. Kris was born in Mahabad, Iran on February 19, 1925 to father, Abdullah Zolfoghary, and mother, Nazinin Babameir. His childhood was spent in rural northern Iran among the apricot trees and horses. He longed in his younger days to study engineering at university. Destiny however had other plans, as the bus taking him for his engineering entrance exam broke down en route. So he took the entrance exam for medical school, changing his life forever. He graduated from medical school in Tehran and then emigrated to the United States for his internship and then residency in neurosurgery. He spent one year as an intern at the University of Delaware and one year as an intern in Brooklyn, New York. Kris was a resident in neurosurgery at Baylor in Houston and then at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1956, while living in Houston and a resident at Baylor, Kris met the love of his life, Ann Chicola. They married on July 27, 1957. He proudly became a U.S. citizen; and later in life, he adopted Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA" as one of his favorites, emblematic of his deep love for this county as an immigrant citizen. In 1960, Kris and Ann moved west to El Paso, where he served the El Paso community as a respected neurosurgeon. He became known to many as the most prominent neurosurgeon in El Paso. He was a pillar in the medical community. Kris was a gifted surgeon, one who measured his success by improving the quality of life for his patients. He truly cared for his patients. He was admired and respected by other physicians, nurses and staff at the hospitals where he worked. Despite his success, he remained humble and was always smiling and in pursuit of the greater good. He worked tirelessly and passionately in El Paso for 54 years, reluctantly retiring at the tender age of 89. Truth be told, he really didn't want to retire even then. Kris had a sense of adventure and a zest for life, which were reflected especially in his choice of favorite hobbies: scuba diving, often to exotic places with Ann and kids in tow; deep sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez with life-long buddies; and flying his airplane, sometimes just breezing around El Paso on a cloudless day and sometimes in pursuit of his other, more exotic, fishing or scuba adventures. And don’t just think he loved the flying itself; Kris loved his plane and its gadgets. He would often peruse the "Trade-A-Plane" periodical during his free time, in search of the ultimate sky ride. He had several small twin-engine planes over the years, but the Seneca II model was the ultimate for him. He loved his friends and family. During his few retirement years, he would often spend time having lunch with doctor friends, old fishing buddies, or his fellow Iranian compatriots. He adored his children and grandchildren. He instructed his children from a young age that education is the best gift to give your children and he supported his three girls in pursuing advanced medical, business and law degrees. He also instilled in his children and grandchildren the value of perseverance and fortitude. His affection towards his grandchildren was evident by the way he spoiled them. “Poppy” would often take his grandchildren – in their (much) younger years - on shopping sprees to Toys-R-Us. In their more recent years, his spoiling morfed from trips for toys to envelopes of cash for the grandchildren to spend as they pleased. Within his generosity, his delight was surely greater than theirs. And, above all, he cherished and loved his wife, Ann, and their 60 year partnership. He is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Elizabeth Naftalis, and her husband, Richard; daughter Christy Zolfoghary; daughter, Deedee McConnell, and her husband, Allen McConnell; and his six grandchildren, Jordan Naftalis, Harrison Naftalis, Benjamin Naftalis, Margot McConnell, Conner McConnell, and Marissa McConnell. The family would like to thank all those who took care of Dr. Zolfoghary over the last two months. It was truly a blessing to have such compassionate, wonderful individuals taking care of him during his last days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1551 Belvidere, El Paso, Texas 79912, with Father Richard Sotelo officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 4900 McNutt Road, Santa Teresa, New Mexico 88008, under the direction of Sunset Funeral Homes - West. Pallbearers honored to serve will be Richard Naftalis, Allen McConnell, Harrison Naftalis, Benjamin Naftalis, Conner McConnell, and Monty Chicola. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Annunciation House, 1003 E. San Antonio Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79901.