Metthananda Kuruppu, 52, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, April 29, 2015, following a robbery at his store, where he was tragically shot and killed.

Metthananda, who was born on March 8, 1963, in Colombo, Sri Lanka., moved to the United States in 2006, seeking a better life for his family. He eventually settled in Beaumont in 2008.

Admired as an industrious small business owner, Metthananda was the proud operator of the Pick N’ Stop convenience store in Beaumont. With his cherished wife, Asoka, to whom he was married for 26 years, he dedicated his life to work and family, hoping to create opportunity for his two daughters, Dulani and Hasini, who are outstanding students with 4.0 GPAs, respectively, at Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology.

As the beloved patriarch of his adoring family, Metthananda encouraged his daughters to pursue excellence, both personally and academically. The accomplishments of his precious wife and children were numbered among his greatest achievements.

Metthananda leaves a wonderful legacy of‎ love, integrity, honor, kindness and generosity. His gentle spirit will endure forever in the hearts of all who admired and loved him.

A gathering of Metthananda’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., with a candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A second gathering will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his funeral service to follow at 2:45 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 2015, at Broussard’s. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

The Metthananda Kuruppu Memorial Fund has been established through Capital One to assist the family with expenses and further Metthananda’s dedication to creating a bright future for his wife and children.