Yadollah Pourafkari

Colonel Yadollah Pourafkari (known to his friends as Yadi) passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, August 31, 2020 at his home in Chapel Hill. Yadi is survived by his wife Irantaj Shamsdiba (Diba) and his beloved daughters, Dr. Marina Pourafkari and Romina Khandani; four much loved granddaughters, Yasmina, Nikta, Hannah and Sienna. Yadi was born on May 5, 1930 to the late Aliasghar and the late Alaviyeh Pourafkari of Tabriz, Iran. He attended the Imperial Iranian Air Force Academy. He rose through the ranks to become a colonel of the Imperial Iranian Air Force, where he also served as flight instructor until his retirement in 1978. After his retirement from the Air Force, he was involved in several cultural and educational institutions in Tehran and played a significant role in caring for his two elder grandchildren. Later in life, after the birth of their two younger grandchildren in the USA, Yadi and Diba made Chapel Hill, NC their main residence to live closer to their grandchildren. Coming from a musical family, Yadi enjoyed playing accordions. He was an avid reader of history books and Persian poetry. He was famous for his calm and positive demeanor. Due to current gathering restrictions, a memorial service celebrating his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to UNITED THROUGH READING (please use the link on the left). The Pourafkari family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.