Kamran Mogharreban of Carbondale
Kamran Mogharreban, 71, of Carbondale, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
He was born on Aug. 7, 1954, to Ismael Mogharreban and Akram (Khorsand) Mogharreban in Tehran, Iran.
He worked at Southern Illinois University for 24 years, retiring from the position of Administrative Information Systems Director in 2019.
Kamran loved spending time with family, and his survivors include his wife, Martha Shum; children Mehdi Mogharreban, Elhaum (Will) McClain, Majeed Mogharreban and grandchildren Ruby Mogharreban and Charles Mogharreban; two brothers, Namdar (Cathy) Mogharreban in Albuquerque and Nader Mogharreban in Tehran; nieces and nephew Yasine (Kyle) Armstrong, Josef (Nichole) Mogharreban and Nessa (Emily) Mogharreban; bonus children SJ Creek, Isaac Creek and Jasmin Creek; father-in-law John Shum Jr.; beloved cousins; and extended family across North America. Though far flung, they were all close to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents; dear friend Tom Baker; nephew Eric Shum; and mother-in-law Peggy Shum.
In 1973, at the age of 18, Kamran left Iran and came to Chicago. There, he attended Northern Illinois University, earning a master of science in computer programming (a brand-new field at the time). During this time, he also met his treasured friends, Tom and Carol Baker. He was the best man in their wedding and godfather to their two children.
After graduating, Kamran moved to San Francisco for work. Kamran married Victoria Styczenski in 1980, and they had three children together before moving to Carbondale in 1994. Though they parted ways in 2007, they remained friends until the end. Later, in 2008, Kamran met Martha Shum, and they married in 2017.
One of Kamran’s favorite activities was meeting friends and colleagues for coffee or lunch. On Fridays, he joined his dear former SIU colleagues, including Jan Bilyeu and Jerry Smith, for a meal. He also regularly connected with friends at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship’s discussion groups or lunches at the Carbondale Senior Citizen Center, and he always loved video calls with his group of Persian friends.
No one appreciated a joke like Kamran, and even during his illness he exchanged jokes with the nurses and staff at Carbondale Memorial. No matter the setting, Kamran brought kindness, generosity, humor and hospitality into every interaction.
In a final act of loving generosity, Kamran wished for his body be donated to SIU-School of Medicine for scientific medical studies. A Celebration of Life at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship and is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. Zoom link is available by going to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85091012889#success
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Jackson, Union Country Habitat for Humanity or the Carbondale Warming Center.
Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit crainsonline.com.