George Mathai, CPA (known to many as “Upadessyude Makan” or to his family as “Joy”) was born on April 4, 1950, in Kunnathur, Kerala, India to the late Pastor T.K Mathai and late Mariamma Mathai, and was the fourth of seven children. In 1958, at the age of 8, George accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In 1970, at the age of 20, George immigrated to the United States, and lived in Dallas, Texas, where he attended Dallas Baptist University. After he finished his undergraduate education, he later moved to New York City, where he worked as the Chief Editor for the newspaper India Abroad. During this time, George also earned three degrees in Journalism, Finance, and Accounting from New York University (NYU). It was in New York that he met the love of his life, Irene, and married her on July 12, 1975. Following the birth of his oldest daughter, Diana, and three years later his youngest daughter Priscilla, George and his family moved to Oklahoma City to raise their children. In Oklahoma, George successfully achieved his dream of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and wore that title proudly for the rest of his life. In 1982, when doctors gave him only six months to live due to kidney failure, George rededicated his life to the Lord and survived without dialysis or a kidney transplant for over 20 years. This earned him the nickname of “GM” (God’s Miracle). While he lived in Oklahoma, George attended First India Pentecostal Church, where he was a member for many years. While there, he served in various leadership roles in the church, as well as across the larger Indian Pentecostal community in Oklahoma, and in the United States and in India. Some of these positions included serving as PCNAK Treasurer, IPC Midwest Region Treasurer, World Pentecostal Conference Chairman, IPC General Council Member, IPCEWS-NA Chairman, founding and Senate member of IPC Kottayam Theological Seminary, and numerous other leadership roles throughout the Indian community. Following his retirement in 2016, George and Irene moved to Dallas to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. While in Dallas, George attended India Pentecostal Church Hebron where he was an active member for the remainder of his life. In July 2020, George and Irene moved with their youngest daughter to Cleveland, Ohio, and resided there until he passed away on September 23, 2021, due to complications of pneumonia. During his life, George was known as a survivor, advisor, visionary, journalist, philanthropist, evangelist, and even a foodie. George was grateful to God for his many health miracles and often held birthday parties to celebrate God saving him through multiple kidney transplants as well as other chronic health conditions. He never missed an opportunity to share God's faithfulness through all the ups and downs of his life, and even wrote a book and produced a movie called “Upadessyude Makan” (The Preacher’s Son). Additionally, George wrote 18 songs, of which the final song is currently in production. George’s hope was that his remarkable testimony would encourage those who were going through similar hardships in their lives.
George Mathai is survived by his wife, Irene; his oldest daughter, Dr. Diana Abraham, her husband, Johnson, and their daughters, Gabriella and Annabella; his youngest daughter, Priscilla Thomas, her husband, Shibu, and their daughters Arianna, Charis and Sophia; siblings: Gracey Philemon, Rev. Dr. Samuel Mathai, Leelamma Oommen, Kunjamma Daniel, Susan Cherian, Glory Cherian, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
George Mathai will forever be remembered for his kind and jovial personality; his uncanny ability to never meet a stranger; and his generous spirit to the poor, needy, hungry, and lost. His multiple Christian ministries throughout the world were driven by his intense desire to spread the gospel and alleviate as much human suffering as he could through his time and financial generosity. His friendships were world-wide and spanned age and time. He will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. For his family and friends, George leaves behind a large void that can only be filled with the comfort and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. One of his favorite verses is II Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
A visitation will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, October 1, 2021 at First United Methodist Church Plano, 3160 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074.
A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021 at First United Methodist Church Plano, 3160 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074.
Following the service a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013, for a committal service.