John MIRZA

1 DEC 1922 - 3 MAY 2017

• BIRTH: 1 DEC 1922, Baghdad, Iraq
• DEATH: 3 MAY 2017, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, California

INDEX

[N17209] JOHN MIRZA Dec. 1, 1922 - May 3, 2017
RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. - Dr. John Mirza was born Dec. 1, 1922, as a refugee in Baghdad after a family flee in which 75,000 Christians from Iran and Iraq left, headed by his father Pera Mirza who was in charge of the refugees. The Rev. Mirza was a Presbyterian minister in Urmia, Persia, who spoke several languages including Aramaic, the language of Jesus. In 1929, Dr. Mirza immigrated with his family to Gary, Indiana, graduating from high school and then went to Depauw University where he graduated in 1944. His excellent grades in high school earned him a full scholarship to Depauw. There he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Russell to whom he became engaged. He fought in World War II in the European Theater and upon returning in 1945 married. After finishing his active duty he continued his education at the University of Illinois, receiving a PhD. in chemistry. He came to Elkhart following the birth of his daughter, Nancy Ann, in 1951, where he was employed by Miles Laboratories as a research chemist. He was promoted from this position to head of R & D and then to a vice president. He retired from what was then Bayer Pharmaceutical in 1984. While in Elkhart, he was active in the First Presbyterian Church as an elder, teacher and member of the choir. He regularly played golf at Elcona Country Club. In 1984, he retired and he and Mary Ellen moved to Rancho Santa Fe to continue to play golf as often as possible. He lost two sons, James Russell at the age of one day and Randall John, age 32. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy, grandchildren Seth and Michelle and one great-granddaughter, Natasha. He is alongside his wife and son, Randy, in the Urn Garden at Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside, California. He is remembered as an immigrant fleeing religious persecution who assimilated, becoming a very successful and productive member of society and whose curious mind and reverence for life will be missed. He remained an ardent patriot of the United States of America. Dr. Mirza died of natural causes at the age of 94.