Al Dehnad, in the comfort of his home, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Al was a 57-year devoted resident of Houston County. Small in stature, he possessed personality and confidence too big for his physicality. A “character” with his signature cap and imposing charm, he did not know a stranger. He loved all things Americana and was a proud citizen of the United States.
Born in Tehran, Iran on April 2, 1935, Al left for America at the age of 19 against his father’s wishes. After a two-week transatlantic voyage, he arrived on Ellis Island March 20, 1955 with $300 in his pocket.
From New York, Al enrolled at the University of Northern Illinois, but the bitter cold weather encouraged him to move south and enroll at Troy University in Troy, AL. Here he met his roommate and lifelong best friend, William “Bill” Harrison. Bill’s parents, Ma and Pa Harrison of Montgomery, AL, along with Bill’s 5 siblings adopted Al as their own and became Al’s loving stateside family.
Because of financial constraints, Al changed his goal of pursuing a career in medicine and chose to study at the School of Physical Therapy in Houston, TX. Al moved back to Alabama and then to Georgia where he pioneered the young field of physical therapy and rehabilitative medicine in Middle Georgia. Al established and provided inpatient and outpatient services at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Peach County Hospital in Fort Valley, Taylor Memorial Hospital in Hawkinsville and Bleckley Memorial Hospital in Cochran. Al was most proud of his work providing physical therapy services to 30 nursing homes. It was at the nursing homes Al felt most rewarded. He called his elderly patients “living libraries” from whom he learned a great deal.
In 1985, Al moved out of Houston Medical Center and across the street where he established Al Dehnad Physical Therapy and Rehab Clinic in a commercial building he developed, Dehnad Center, which exists today. In 1998, Al sold his practice and retired.
During his career, Al served in several leadership positions with various physical therapy organizations. In 1990, Al was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to serve on the Georgia Licensure Board of Physical Therapy where he also served as its president.
Al loved the outdoors, especially the beach where he would spend hours swimming, walking and kayaking. He also held a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
He is preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. M.A. Dehnad, his brother Rahim Dehnad and his sister Behjat Niaraki.
His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife of 51 years Parr Dehnad of Perry; their 2 children, daughter Roxana Tatman (Mark) of Albany, GA and son Ryan Dehnad (Breanna) of Rhome, TX; Al’s daughter Daphne Nichols (Ashley) of Pike Road, AL; his 4 grandchildren Thomas Nichols, Mali Dehnad, Aliana Tatman and William Tatman; Al’s brother Ed Dehnad (Kay) of Cumming; his niece Dr. Susie Dehnad (Eloisa) of Forestville, CA; his niece Sheila Douthat (Brian) of Cumming; nephew Izad Niaraki (Sadaf) of Toronto, Canada; and several great nieces and nephews.
Al’s family would like to thank his wonderful neighbors, Hands of Hope, and Hospice Care Options for all their love, care and support during his last months.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home in Warner Robins. Al will be laid to rest on Friday, April 19, 2024, in a private graveside service at Parkway Memorial Gardens in Warner Robins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following local charities and organizations in Al Dehnad’s memory:
Community Outreach Service Center, Warner Robins, GA ccenteroutreach.org
Green Acres Baptist Church, 901 Elberta Rd., Warner Robins, GA 31093
Jays Hope 4 Kids with Cancer, Macon, GA jayshope.org
Murray’s Light Foundation, Macon, GA murrayslight.org
Walker Bethune Memorial Scholarship at Stratford Academy, 6010 Peake Rd., Macon, GA 31220 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Al Dehnad, please visit our flower store.
Al was a 57-year devoted resident of Houston County. Small in stature, he possessed personality and confidence too big for his physicality. A “character” with his signature cap and imposing charm, he did not know a stranger. He loved all things Americana and was a proud citizen of the United States.
Born in Tehran, Iran on April 2, 1935, Al left for America at the age of 19 against his father’s wishes. After a two-week transatlantic voyage, he arrived on Ellis Island March 20, 1955 with $300 in his pocket.
From New York, Al enrolled at the University of Northern Illinois, but the bitter cold weather encouraged him to move south and enroll at Troy University in Troy, AL. Here he met his roommate and lifelong best friend, William “Bill” Harrison. Bill’s parents, Ma and Pa Harrison of Montgomery, AL, along with Bill’s 5 siblings adopted Al as their own and became Al’s loving stateside family.
Because of financial constraints, Al changed his goal of pursuing a career in medicine and chose to study at the School of Physical Therapy in Houston, TX. Al moved back to Alabama and then to Georgia where he pioneered the young field of physical therapy and rehabilitative medicine in Middle Georgia. Al established and provided inpatient and outpatient services at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Peach County Hospital in Fort Valley, Taylor Memorial Hospital in Hawkinsville and Bleckley Memorial Hospital in Cochran. Al was most proud of his work providing physical therapy services to 30 nursing homes. It was at the nursing homes Al felt most rewarded. He called his elderly patients “living libraries” from whom he learned a great deal.
In 1985, Al moved out of Houston Medical Center and across the street where he established Al Dehnad Physical Therapy and Rehab Clinic in a commercial building he developed, Dehnad Center, which exists today. In 1998, Al sold his practice and retired.
During his career, Al served in several leadership positions with various physical therapy organizations. In 1990, Al was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to serve on the Georgia Licensure Board of Physical Therapy where he also served as its president.
Al loved the outdoors, especially the beach where he would spend hours swimming, walking and kayaking. He also held a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
He is preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. M.A. Dehnad, his brother Rahim Dehnad and his sister Behjat Niaraki.
His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife of 51 years Parr Dehnad of Perry; their 2 children, daughter Roxana Tatman (Mark) of Albany, GA and son Ryan Dehnad (Breanna) of Rhome, TX; Al’s daughter Daphne Nichols (Ashley) of Pike Road, AL; his 4 grandchildren Thomas Nichols, Mali Dehnad, Aliana Tatman and William Tatman; Al’s brother Ed Dehnad (Kay) of Cumming; his niece Dr. Susie Dehnad (Eloisa) of Forestville, CA; his niece Sheila Douthat (Brian) of Cumming; nephew Izad Niaraki (Sadaf) of Toronto, Canada; and several great nieces and nephews.
Al’s family would like to thank his wonderful neighbors, Hands of Hope, and Hospice Care Options for all their love, care and support during his last months.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home in Warner Robins. Al will be laid to rest on Friday, April 19, 2024, in a private graveside service at Parkway Memorial Gardens in Warner Robins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following local charities and organizations in Al Dehnad’s memory:
Community Outreach Service Center, Warner Robins, GA ccenteroutreach.org
Green Acres Baptist Church, 901 Elberta Rd., Warner Robins, GA 31093
Jays Hope 4 Kids with Cancer, Macon, GA jayshope.org
Murray’s Light Foundation, Macon, GA murrayslight.org
Walker Bethune Memorial Scholarship at Stratford Academy, 6010 Peake Rd., Macon, GA 31220 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Al Dehnad, please visit our flower store.
Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Al Dehnad
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