Kiritkumar Punjabhai Patel (Kirit)

Kiritkumar Punjabhai Patel (Kirit), of Mahelav, India passed away peacefully at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, GA, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 17:09 surrounded by his wife and children.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, August 3, 2024 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Kirit was born on April 25, 1963 in Petlad, Gujarat, India and moved to Brooklyn, New York, USA when he was just 18 years old. As a tenacious youngster, Kirit started his business in New York City and went on to develop his own business empire. Kirit then went on to start a beautiful marriage with Shobhana in 1986 and became a devoted father to 4 children: Hinali, Nirali, Shivali, and Darshan.

After surviving the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers, Kirit and his family moved to Orlando, Florida in the early 2000s followed by a short stint in Atlanta, Georgia before they settled in Columbus, Georgia in 2009. Aside from running his small business, Kirit was a strong devotee of Mataji, admired and respected by friends from around the world who often sought his wisdom and guidance.

Kirit’s favorite pastime was spending his evenings sitting on the porch with his wife, enjoying the summer evenings. It was his favorite spot to watch the world go by, relax, and engage in heartfelt conversations with Shobhana and his neighbors. He was also a dedicated “kitchen patrol”,  Dad took great joy in ensuring Shobhana made meals the way he loved (with extra garlic). He found satisfaction in cooking delicious meals and experimenting with new recipes.

Lastly, Kirit was also known for sharing important life lessons delivered with wisdom and a touch of humor - something his children will always admire. He cherished these moments of imparting knowledge and values to his children, guiding them with stories from his own personal experiences and the lessons he had learned over the years. He will always be admired by his children for his eternal strength and kindness.

Kirit is survived by his wife Shobhana, daughters Hinali (Sohang), Nirali (Krishan), and Shivali, son Darshan, brothers Vijay (Varsha) and Jitu (Chandrika), mother-in-law Savita, father-in-law Jashbhai, brother-in-law Ajay (Mital), dogs Prince and Ollie, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Kirit was preceded in death by his father Punjabhai, mother Sushilabhen, and sister Shobhanaben.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of St. Francis Hospital for their dedicated care and compassion.