Prabhudas Khodidas Patel

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Dr. Prabhudas K. Patel passed away on March 29, 2023, at the age of 81, at his home in Southlake, Texas. Our cherished Prabhudas went by many names, including “P.K.,” “Doc,” “Dr. Patel” and “Dhada”. The name he was most proud of and cherished the most, however, was simply “Dad.”

Dad was born on February 1, 1942, in Dingucha, Gujarat, India to Khodidas and Sitaben Patel. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in a small village without many of the basic necessities of life that are commonplace today. Even at a young age, Dad was a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives. Though his studies took him away from his home, he knew that getting an education was the best path of success, not only for himself, but to help his family. Through dedication, hard work and sacrifice, a boy from the small village of Dingucha went on to become a doctor. The first college graduate in his family and the first doctor from his village, Dad received his medical degree from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Jamshedpur, India in 1967.

Dad married his beloved wife, Kanta, on June 6, 1964. From that day to his last day, his beloved “Minnie” never left his side, and the two shared an amazing and wonderful life together full of love, commitment, sanctity and joy.

After arriving in 1971, Dad brought his wife and daughters, Pratixa and Tina, to New York City a year later, where he completed his residency in general surgery at Beekman Downtown Hospital. While in New York City, Dad and Mom welcomed their third daughter, Caroline. After a brief stop working in the hospital emergency room in Huntington, West Virginia, Dad’s journey eventually took him to Frederick, Oklahoma, where he practiced until 1990. While in Frederick, Dad and Mom welcomed their youngest daughter, Rohini. Dad eventually moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, where he practiced until finally retiring in 2007. During his time as a physician, he served both the communities of Frederick and Lawton for nearly 40 years, where he saved countless numbers of lives and made numerous lifelong friends. Many of his patients kept in touch with him even after his retirement because of his caring nature and bedside manner.

Dad was a kind and gentle man who had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile. He was deeply devoted to his wife and was a pillar of support to his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved and adored his daughters more than anything else in this world. He will forever be their rock, their foundation and their hearts will forever be joined.

Dad was a selfless man dedicated to the success and needs of his family and friends. Despite his success, he never forgot his family or his village, or the obligation he felt towards them. His love for his family and village saw him work tirelessly to help bring many of his family to the United States so that they, and their children, could enjoy a better life. It brought him so much joy and strength to see the next generation of his family living amazing lives and doing wonderful things.

Dad had many joys in his life. He enjoyed traveling the world with both his family and his friends. He loved reading and had an endless thirst for knowledge. He was also not one to turn down a nice glass of Scotch with his friends. Interestingly, he also had a pilot’s license at one point and loved flying. Most of all, he enjoyed being a teacher and a mentor. He always took the opportunity to impart words of wisdom to those he cared about most, especially his children, and the lessons that he provided will forever live on through all of us.

In Gujarati, Prabhudas translates to “Servant of the Lord.” Dad was, in fact, a devotee of God, as his faith, spirituality and relationship with God guided him throughout his life and brought him peace.
Dad’s passing is a great loss to his family, friends and community. He will be deeply missed but will always be remembered and loved for his kindness, generosity, and the positive impact he had on the countless lives of those around him.

Dad was preceded in death by his father, Khodidas Patel, mother, Sitaben Patel, brothers, Purshottambhai Patel and Baldevbhai Patel, and sister, Dahiben Kantilal Patel. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kanta Patel; sister, Kantaben Babulal Patel; daughters, Pratixa Filinto (married to Jonathan) of Norman, Oklahoma, Tina Patel of Southlake, Texas, Caroline Braich (married to Jas) of Southlake, Texas, and Rohini McCardell (married to Chris) of Margate City, New Jersey; granddaughters, Priya Moore (married to Jake) of Norman, Oklahoma and Paige Swayze (married to Cole) of Stillwater, Oklahoma; his grandsons, Dillon Braich and Khodi McCardell; his step-grandchildren, Bethany McCardell and Brandon McCardell; and his first great grandchild, Beckham Swayze; numerous family members, and countless numbers of friends he considered family.