Taghi Hajizade

Taghi Hajizade, 81, passed away on August 14, 2023, surrounded by the love of family and friends. Devoted and selfless husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend – to be missed by all. Taghi was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1942. After dropping out of high school he joined the Iranian army to receive his passport. He moved to Germany to work at a Mercedes Benz factory. In 1965, Taghi met the love of his life, Harriet, at the Hamburg train station. She was in Germany working in a virology laboratory. He saw her struggling with a large suitcase and offered his help and walked her home. He only spoke Farsi and she only spoke English but despite the language barrier, their love story began instantly and spanned several countries. Taghi moved to Toronto, Canada and Harriet remained in Germany before returning to Houston; all the while keeping in touch. He had his letters to her translated into English and worked the night shift so that he could take English classes during the day. During a trip to Niagara Falls, he proposed. Harriet moved to Canada, and they were married in 1968. Taghi and Harriet moved to Houston in 1972 where he worked as an auto mechanic. His passion was repairing, buying, and selling cars and he opened shop in their home garage. His customers followed and he eventually owned five car dealerships. After retirement, Taghi continued to buy and sell cars in his spare time while also managing multiple commercial lots that they owned. Taghi also loved performing stand-up comedy, telling jokes, puling pranks, and performing magic. Search ‘Taghi’s stand-up’ on YouTube! To him, laughter was everything! Taghi never met a stranger and the first thing he did when you met him was tell you a joke. Everyone who met him, instantly liked him. He was an intense mix of charisma, good luck, selflessness, and intelligence. If one word can be used to describe Taghi, it would be RESILIENT. From a rough start to life in Tehran, to moving to new countries with new languages, growing successful businesses, multiple health setbacks, thriving after a liver transplant and surviving a stroke, he never lost his fighting spirit or his smile. Taghi is survived by his wife of 54 years, Harriet, sons Steve (Sarah) Hajizade and Brad Hajizade, grandson Noah, siblings Ali (Nahid) Haize, Nazy Mohammadi, Reza Hajizadeh, Farrah (Ali) Jadidi, Mozhgan Khoshdel, and a host of beloved extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alam and Ahmad Hajizadeh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Liver Foundation at www.liverfoundation.org. Through this foundation, Taghi was matched to an organ donor, Drake Floyd, and was gifted another 10 years of life with his family and friends. A funeral service was held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 18, 2023 in The Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, TX 77055. The service will also be livestreamed at https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b

Taghi Hajizade

May 18, 1942 - August 14, 2023