Tributes

Zakar Yeranous Bedoyan, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 24, 2025, in Fresno, California. He was 96 years old. Born on February 27, 1929, in the “Zeytoun Khan” section of Aleppo, Syria, to Yeranous and Nazeli Bedoyan, Zakar lived a life marked by poverty, faith, family, and perseverance. His mother, Nazeli, raised Zakar along with her three other children, Maritza, Alexan and Takouhi, alone. Zakar’s parents were born in Kharpert and were orphans as the result of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Zakar’s early years in Syria shaped his deep appreciation for hard work, family, community and tradition, values he carried with him throughout his life. Zakar was fiercely proud of his Armenian heritage, a pride that would later serve him well as an immigrant in America. In 1957, Zakar, Alexan (and his wife Anahid along with their two children), and his younger sister, Takouhi, immigrated to the United States. They arrived by ship to New York and after a short stay in New York, took a Greyhound bus to Fresno, California, where Zakar’s aunt Alice Karamian, lived. Alice was their sponsor and loaned them the money to come to the United States. Almost immediately upon arriving in Fresno, Zakar worked as a dishwasher at the old Baghdad Restaurant in Downtown Fresno, riding back and forth to work on his bicycle. In July of 1957, Zakar started working for Victor Knitting Mills as a knitting machine operator, making woman’s sweaters for the next 30 years. Later in life, he worked as the Custodian of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church until he retired in March of 1991. After retiring from the church, Zakar reinvented himself again by buying and managing rental properties in the old Armenian neighborhoods of Fresno. He and his “brother” Manuel Damirjian were “jacks of all trades” and could fix almost anything themselves. His Armenian tenants, many of whom were his tenants for 10, 15 or 20 years, treated him like family and he looked forward to his monthly visits to each of their homes. Zakar became a cherished member of the Armenian community and was a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Hamazasp Gomideh, and the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. He was known for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his family and church. He loved music and even during his last few years, would get up and start dancing by himself especially when the music was Armenian. He was very proud of his children, who were by his side throughout his ordeal with Dementia. Those who knew him will remember his gentle spirit, his love of life, his stories of heritage, and his steadfast love for those around him. Zakar was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Tatios (Garabedian) Bedoyan, the beloved mother of his children. Zakar is survived by his second wife, Siran Bedoyan, and his children: Hagop Bedoyan and his wife Jennifer, Alice Bedoyan, and Shant Bedoyan and his wife Naira Khachatryan. He also leaves behind five cherished grandchildren — Tamar Bedoyan and spouse Jana Bedoyan, Sareen Creede and spouse Erik Creede, Christopher Bedoyan, Saro Bedoyan, and Seraphina Bedoyan — as well as three great-grandchildren. Zakar is also survived by his life-long friend and “brother,” Manuel Damirjian. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno. Burial will follow at Masis Ararat Cemetery, where Zakar will be laid to rest next to his late wife Mary. Zakar’s life was a testament to the love of family, faith, and resilience. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Zakar's honor to Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church or to the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, 108 N. Villa Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Zakar Yeranous Bedoyan, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Tributes

Zakar Yeranous Bedoyan

February 27, 1929 - October 24, 2025