In Memory of Amarjit Takhar

Seonghwa

Mar 4

In Memory of Amarjit Takhar

Amarjit Takhar

Spouse: Carol Takhar
Children: Phillip, James, Sarah
Birthdate: October 20, 1958
Blessing: July 1, 1982
Ascension: February 26, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: March 6, 2022

Amarjit (AJ) Takhar lived a full life and passed away in his sleep at age 63. His loved ones remember him as a loving and committed husband, father, brother, and friend who dedicated his life to God, True Parents, and his family.

AJ was born in 1958 in a farming community in Samrai Village in Punjab, India. His parents, Mohan and Harpal, raised AJ and his sister, Sarbjit, in the Sikh religion. Their family lived lives of faith centered on a God of love and goodness. When he was 12, AJ’s family moved to Gravesend, England. AJ worked hard to learn English quickly to catch up in school and adjust to a new life in a new country. He did extremely well in his studies and managed to obtain a place at Kent university studying aeronautical engineering. Having always dreamt of being a pilot he also started taking flying lessons weekly.

AJ’s love for God led him to search for a religious community where he could connect to his sense of purpose. He met the church in England at the end of 1979, where he met his lifelong best friend, Godwin Da Silva. In 1980, AJ came to America to join MFT and began building Good Go boats. During this time AJ had the opportunity to go see Annie in the movie theater with True Parents.

AJ was Blessed and married to his wife Carol at the 1982 Blessing at Madison Square Garden. Right after they were matched, Carol and AJ squeezed into a phone booth to share the news with her mother. Carol explained that they would be married in three days. Her mother asked, “well, does he love you?” Carol handed the phone to AJ, who went red in the face and said, “Of course I do!” They were Blessed and married three days later; Carol’s mother and sister attended the ceremony. After the Blessing, AJ and Carol popped into a Carl’s Jr. for their first date and a bite to eat. Carol suspects they chose Carl's Jr. because it was one of the few places you could get a cup of hot tea at the time. As an international couple, their course was not easy in the early years of their relationship. Over time, their families came to recognize the deep love and appreciation they had for one another. Having cute and well-mannered children didn’t hurt either.

They moved to Seattle in 1989, where AJ began working for True World Foods (then called Happy World). They had their first son Phillip in 1989 and moved to Los Angeles, California soon after. AJ always held a love for Punjab in his heart and always said that California reminded him of Punjab. Their son James was born in 1991, followed by their daughter Sarah in 1995. AJ was an attentive and caring father to his children. Some of their favorite family activities were going to the zoo and playing mini golf together, activities that the Takhar children still love to this day.

In May 2019, AJ suffered from a series of heart attacks and strokes, including undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Despite the odds against him, AJ pulled through. With significant support from his family, AJ’s health improved over the following months. While his condition required him to retire from his prior career, AJ’s improving health meant that he could spend more time with his family. He made many trips to his favorite places, including Palm Springs for vacation, IHOP for breakfast, and the beach.

All who have met AJ reflect on his quiet warmth and tremendous strength of character. His passion for God and True Parents guided his adult life. AJ worked hard to support his family and participated in church activities as much as possible in order to strengthen the LA community. As a delivery driver and eventually Vice President of Human Resources at True World Foods, AJ demonstrated steadfast loyalty to the company. He dedicated himself to support True Father’s vision for the seafood industry and went out of his way to support brothers and sisters when he could. His colleagues have shared the sense of respect they had for the way AJ did his job. He always took pride in his work and was able to do difficult things well.

AJ led a disciplined life of faith and worked hard to create a better world for his children. He dreamed of True Parents frequently and kept a strong connection to God’s heart. A close family friend shared that she recently asked AJ, “what makes you happy?” He responded, “When I feel God’s love.” No matter the circumstances, AJ chased after God’s love and dream for this world with his whole heart, mind, and body.