Ali Reza RaisDana, devoted husband and father, was the fourth child born to the late Gholam Reza ("Agha Joon") and Ghamar ("Aziz Joon"), in Tehran, Iran on March 27, 1934.  He was one of eight siblings, and the first-born son.  His dream was to pursue an education in the United States ("U.S."), and he made that dream come true; being the first in his family to move to the U.S., and paving the way for his brothers and nephews to also pursue their dream of living in the U.S.

He arrived to California in 1953, at the ripe age of 19 – with very limited financial means, and unable to speak any English at the time.  He attended the University of California, Berkeley, and he later attended Wichita State University where he was the International Club President.  Despite the language barrier and his financial hardships, with great fortitude, Ali obtained both an aeronautical engineering degree and a masters in mathematics while working odd jobs to support himself (i.e., working in a bakery for 75 cents an hour).

Upon completing his schooling, Ali obtained a position as an engineer at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas – Air Capital of the World.  Soon after having been laid off from Cessna during the recession in the late 1960's, Ali took a leap of faith and went into business for himself.  He founded Persian Bazaar Gallery, Inc., the original and leading Persian and Oriental rug gallery in Kansas.  His charming 7,000 square foot gallery, located in the Douglas Design District, consisted of exquisite Persian and Oriental rugs, antique European furniture, and antique European paintings.  While in business, Ali continually held Persian and Oriental rug shows at high-end venues across the nation; he was an adjunct professor at Wichita State University, where he taught classes on the history of Persian and Oriental Rugs; and Persian Bazaar Gallery, Inc. was a distinguished member of the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement President's Club.  The doors to Ali's beloved gallery were kept open for 40-plus years.

In addition to Ali's aeronautical engineering and entrepreneurial accomplishments, Ali was a seasoned real estate investor and was always keeping up with the real estate market.  In his spare time, Ali loved road trips and traveling - having traveled with his wife and two daughters to just about every state in the U.S., in addition to Canada, the Middle East, and various parts of Europe.  Ali had a green thumb and took great pleasure in gardening around his home.  Ali enjoyed attending the Wichita Symphony with his wife; socializing with friends at the Wichita Country Club; and always having his house full of friends and family. There rarely was a night that Ali did not have friends/relatives sitting across from him at his dinner table.  Ali was an extrovert, and had a warm and loving nature.  Turning strangers into friends came easy to him, and he never had a neighbor whom he did not make an effort to know/whom he did not quickly befriend.  Ali also loved politics, never missed a presidential debate, and enjoyed hosting dinner parties at his home with longtime friends who were members of Congress.

After retiring, Ali and his wife moved to California in 2008 to live out their retirement years in close proximity to their two daughters who were living in Southern California at the time.  He passed away peacefully at his home on July 12, surrounded by his family and an infinite amount of love.  Ali leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Azar, and his two daughters, Arezou and Aramesh.

Being that Ali was an avid supporter of children's charities, in lieu of flowers, we ask that in his memory, you please donate to one or both of the below organizations:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.  And with your support, St. Jude can provide cutting-edge treatments at no cost to families – so they can focus on helping their child live.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8459053&fr_id=133398&pg=personal

Tias Arms

Tias Arms is addressing the AIDS epidemic that has been ravaging much of Africa by working to provide shelter, comfort, education, and care for the hundreds of thousands of children whose lives have been severely impacted by HIV/AIDS in South Africa and who are the innocent victims of the devastation caused by AIDS.  93 cents on every dollar goes directly to the care of the children and their caregivers in South Africa.

https://tiasarms.org