Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevay Namah

Shri Lal Chand Shikarpuri passed away peacefully on August 24, 2024, in Dunedin, Florida. Born on January 15, 1934, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, he leaves behind a legacy of love and unwavering family bonds.

Shri Lal Chand is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Dhano Devi Shikarpuri, his son and daughter-in-law Mahesh and Shilpa Shikarpuri, as well as his daughters and their families: Rita and Manohar Talreja (India), Seema and Anoop Kukreja (India), Asha and Deepak Gulani (India), Anju and Atul Datta (Tampa), and Poonam Sethi (Tampa).

Born into a family of generational merchants, Shri Lal Chand excelled academically, graduating with honors from high school in Kandahar. His passion for learning led him to master Persian literature and several languages, including English, Hindi, Gurmukhi, Kandhari, Sindhi Urdu, Pashto, and others. He became fluent in multiple languages and proficient in reading sacred texts such as the Guru Granth Sahib and Shrimad Bhagwat Gita.

During his high school years, Shri Lal Chand played field hockey for his high school team and also played football (soccer) on the practice team. In school he was always willing to help others and put the interests of others ahead of his own.

Shri Lal Chand started his career by working for a large import/export business from India. A respected businessman, he later established his own successful venture, specializing in the export of dry and fresh fruits, almond nuts, and walnuts to India, the Soviet Union, and other countries. Simultaneously, he imported tea, spices, textile, and cooking oil from Japan, India, Norway, the Soviet Union, and elsewhere. With primary offices in Kandahar and Kabul, Afghanistan, with affiliates, commission agents, and partners in Amritsar, New Delhi (India), Karachi, and Peshawar (Pakistan). He frequently traveled abroad for business.

In 1980, due to political turmoil in Afghanistan, Shri Lal Chand, keeping the safety of his kids in mind, moved with his family to India. Over the next 14 years, he successfully married off three of his daughters in India and ensured they were well-settled.

In 1994, Shri Lal Chand migrated to the United States (Palm Harbor, Florida) for better life and opportunities for his children. There, he joined the family-owned CPA and business consulting firm, where he contributed his invaluable guidance and business expertise.

After retirement, Shri Lal Chand settled in Orlando. He lived with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids. A devoted family man, he was cherished by his wife, children, siblings, and grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, especially enjoying meals together. With thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, his family was a source of immense joy. He was a natural people person, loved by all that knew him.

Beyond his daily prayers and rituals, Shri Lal Chand had several other interests and hobbies including singing, listening to old Hindi movie songs, Hindi and Punjabi bhajans and watching Indian movies. He loved watching American football on the weekends and playing cards with his family. With a deep love for gardening, he spent two to three hours daily tending to his garden, cultivating fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Shri Lal Chand Shikarpuri will be remembered for his smile, love for his family, enthusiasm, generosity, kindness and his strong sense of duty.

A Shradhanjali Kriya (funeral service) will be held on August 29, 2024, at DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory at 8:30am. Funeral services will be followed with the commencement of Sehaj Paath at Sikh Society of Central Florida.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti