TASOS JOHN PAPPADAS
1926-2018
At home with his family, Tasos John Pappadas ,92, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his savior Jesus Christ on the 27th of October 2018.
He was born the 12th of May 1926, to John A. Pappadas and Irene Sprague Pappadas.
Armed with only unwavering determination and faith, his father had immigrated alone from Greece at the age of 12 to create a better life for himself and for his future family. Tasos’ maternal grandfather owned a cattle and sheep ranch in South Dakota and drove cattle to market in Kansas in the great cattle drives of the late 19th century.
Tasos grew up in the Houston Heights and created many happy memories playing sports with his friends on a centrally located park area called the esplanade. From his early youth, he experienced a lifelong love of all sports, particularly college football which he followed faithfully along with his closest childhood friend George Michael.
He graduated from John H. Reagan High School and attended Millsaps College in Mississippi where he underwent officers training for the Navy during World War II. He subsequently joined the Air Force reserves and retired with the rank of captain.
After the war, he attended Southern Methodist University from which he graduated in 1948. His time at SMU provided him with some of his happiest memories. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of his college experience. From academic studies in the business school, to social life as a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, to his experience as a cheerleader to a nationally ranked top 5 team with a Heisman trophy winner, he had a near ideal college life.
Following college garduatiion with a BBA, he received an MBA from the University of Houston and attended law school at the University of Texas. During one summer break, his job at a young, growing insurance agency turned into a five decade career and ultimately co ownership of what would become the Bahm and Pappadas insurance agency. He served his customers with personalized care and integrity.
In 1955, he married the love of his life Eunice Glaros and they experienced 63 years of fidelity and of steadfast love. To the final moment of his life, they remained united with abiding love for one another and unshakeable trust in God.
For 62 years they lived in their same home in the wonderful neighborhood of Briargrove and enjoyed very special relationships with many great neighbors, particularly with Weldon and Madora Smith, with Jerry and Sharyn Metcalf, and with Bill and Nancy Baycroft. He loved yardwork and gardening and enjoyed countless hours tending to an immaculate yard.
As parents, they raised their one child John with unconditional love and support which allowed him to achieve his life goals and to ultimately provide medical care for thousands of expectant mothers and their unborn children.
Included in his survivors are his cousins Loula Gatoura, Dr. Georgia Gatoura Foulard, and Jeanne Gatoura. He was predeceased by his beloved parents Irene and John Pappadas and his beloved brother John A. Pappadas, Jr.
His family is particularly grateful for the outstanding medical care that he received from Dr. Alicia Romero, Dr. Sohail Noor, and from Dr. Amito Chandiwal, from the Purple Team of Houston Hospice, from visiting home health nurse Anna Marie Revote, and from daily loving personal care from Elvira Chavez.
Tasos was a lifelong member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. He was particularly grateful to the pastoral care that our proistamenos Father Michael Lambakis provided to him in the last years of his life.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family beginning at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 1st of November 2018, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston, where the Trisagion prayers and funeral service will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning. Interment is to follow, via an escorted cortège, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family for fellowship and for a makaria luncheon in the S.P. Martel Hall of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his nephews, Michael Glaros, Dr. William Glaros, Emanuel W. Kandis, John Kandis, Jack Glaros, Mark Lewis, godson Stephen Petheriotes, and dear friends Joseph Genitempo, David Streit, and William Baycroft.
In lieu of customary remembrances, for those desiring memorial contributions may be directed to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Altar Fund, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006.
May his memory be eternal.