Early morning on April 24th, 2024, Mohanrao Mittapalli MD passed peacefully into eternity at the age of 87 with his daughters by his side. He was a devoted husband, father, Thatha (grandfather), brother, uncle and friend who enjoyed many years of an active lifestyle.
Mohanrao was born in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India to Nagaratnamma and Venkata Kotaiah Mittapalli on February 27, 1937. He was the third of 12 siblings and was a smart and mischievous young boy. He loved to play pranks on his siblings and friends. He adored his mother and father.
He spent his childhood in Guntur and attended Hindu High School. He continued on to pre-university at Hindu college and went on to study medicine at Guntur Medical College. He was passionate about learning and continued his education later in life obtaining a Master's in Public Health. Upon completion of medical school, he moved to the United States in 1969 to further his studies. In his internship, residencies and fellowship, he concentrated his efforts in Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery which he practiced for some years.
On June 9th, 1969, he joined his life in marriage to Dr. Parvati Mittapalli who shared the same interest in medicine and the opportunities the United States had to offer. They were happily married for 54 years until she passed on Christmas morning, 2023. They lived together at University Village where they have enjoyed the company of staff and other residents participating in activities, watching Telugu movies, making the rounds telling stories and jokes and making others smile.
In 1971, they welcomed their first daughter into the world, Radhika in Miami, FL. Shortly after, another daughter, Jessica was born in Madison, WI. They lived in Kansas before settling in Oklahoma in 1977. Moving from Muskogee to Broken Arrow and finally to Tulsa, they found their home in 1982. He found great joy in Jessica's husband, Jason and treated him like the son he never had. He also welcomed George, Radhika's husband, with open arms. He loved teaching and joking with his beloved grandchildren, Vin, Izzy and Aleah. He was passionate about his lawn, detailed landscape and his beloved banana plants.

Mohanrao was a connector. He always brought people together that were new in town or not plugged in anywhere. He offered his home, his advice and his wife's cooking. He loved to entertain often filling the house with many people over the years. He was instrumental in the Telugu Association of Oklahoma and faithful in attending Grand Rounds continuing medical education at Hillcrest Hospital rarely missing a week. Everyone knew him wherever he went, whether it be at Lowe's, the bank, the mall, Aldi, Wal-Mart and the list goes on. He never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him.
In his later years, he never complained about what life dealt him. He embraced each challenge and rose above it. He was always forward thinking coming up with a plan to make this world better one smile at a time. He lived with resilience and perseverance the race before him. He lived well and will be deeply missed.
Mohanrao was preceded in death by his wife, parents and some of his siblings. He is survived by two younger brothers (Kesav, Shankar) and five sisters (Uma, Sushila, Rajeswari, Kalavathi and Suvarna); his daughter, Radhika Rogalski of Tulsa (husband George and daughter Aleah); daughter, Jessica Dyer of Bixby (husband, J. and children Vin and Izzy) and countless family across the globe.
Mohanrao will be cremated and services will be held on May 1st at 10am at the University Village, Stovall Theater with reception immediately following.

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In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Up With Trees. These funds will be used to help maintain Tulsa's trees and will honor him for years to come. Donate today by scanning the QR code or by visiting upwithtrees.org and click the donate button. Please include Mohanrao Mittapalli MD in the comment section of the donation so your gift can be properly tagged toward the tree site we're sponsoring to honor his legacy.