Iraj Haghjoo

Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. (From the Bahá'í Writings)

Iraj K. Haghjoo passed away at his home in Hewitt on January 23, 2007. At his side was Roha, his wife of 48 years.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27th at the Oak Crest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Called "Baabaa" by friends and family, Iraj was known for his openly loving nature. In fact, he proudly loved the entire human race, which he attributed to his belief in the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith, a peaceful world religion which believes in the unity of all mankind, the harmony of all religions, and the oneness of God.

Iraj was born to Hossain and Rohani Haghjoo on March 14, 1931 in the south of Iran and educated in mathematics and chemistry, He was a prominent businessman in Teheran and a member of the Rotary Club and Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce. He loved enjoying a hearty Persian meal with friends, as well as a good game of backgammon. He dabbled in the arts - including playing the flute, the Persian santour, and water color painting.

He was also an amateur boxer and a qualifier for the Iranian Olympic gymnastic team.

Iraj's life demonstrates his ability to overcome adversity while seeking a better life for his family. Prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, his wife and children went to England. Iraj stayed in Iran to oversee his business, but persecutions of members of the Bahá'í Faith increased.

Being a prominent and active Bahá'í, in 1981 Iraj was forced to flee Iran, and his assets were permanently seized. He never returned to his native Persia.

In 1981 Iraj's family was the first to be granted asylum for religious persecution in Quito, Ecuador. Enrolling in local schools, learning Spanish, and establishing a restaurant business, the Haghjoos successfully started over again. Iraj came to the U.S. in 1995 and settled in Hewitt in 2001. He spent a few years in the Bronx helping his son Shahram establish a successful furniture business.

Following the tragedy of 9/11, Shahram joined his parents in Waco and calls Iraj the "founding father" of today's successful Furniture Outlet store on Franklin Avenue.

The family would like to thank Irma Chavez Vega and her family for their dedicated care of Iraj in his difficult final two years of life. Thanks also to Odyssey Hospice for their care.

Iraj is survived by his wife, Roha Khozein Haghjoo of Hewitt; son Shahram Haghjoo and his wife Zohreh of Hewitt; daughter Shahrzad Haghjoo of Corpus Cristi; daughter Mona and her husband Cornell Menking of Quito, Ecuador; sister Bahiyeh and her husband Bahram Foroodi of Iran; Derakhshande and her husband Keramat Saabetty of Australia; Monireh and her husband Rahmatollah Badiyi of Holland.

He is preceded in death by brother Vajiollah Haghjoo. In Waco he is also survived by brother-in-law Fuad (Fred) and Brenda Khozein, and nieces Naseem and Neda.