Nicholas John Zikos' Obituary
Nick Zikos died peacefully at home surrounded by his children on Saturday May 7, 2022. Nick was born July 3, 1932 in Pittsburgh, PA. The son of Greek immigrants, Stella and John Zikos, Nick was a first generation American. Nick was a devoted son and spoke often of his deep love for his parents and the sacrifices that they made for him. Nick loved growing up in Pittsburgh and was an avid Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and Pitt Panther fan. Growing up, he loved playing basketball, baseball and football with his brothers Pete and Mike and their cousins and friends. Nick attended Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox church in Pittsburgh.
After graduating from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, Nick worked multiple jobs and put himself through college at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated from Pitt with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduating, he took a job in aerospace with General Dynamics which took him to Dallas, TX. There, on his first Sunday in town, he attended the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and met the love of his life, Georgia Manos. The two were married at Holy Trinity on December 30, 1956. Nick and Georgia were married nearly 64 years until Georgia passed away on October 26, 2020. The couple eventually moved to Middletown, OH where their children Kathy, Cindy and John were born. Nick was a devoted husband and father and almost never missed a chance to see his children perform ballet, piano recitals and compete in sporting events. He never missed an opportunity to brag on his children either.
Nick has a 40+ year career in aerospace engineering working on commercial planes including the 747, military planes including the B-1 Bomber, weapon systems including a multiple launch missile system, and space craft including the heat shields on the Apollo 13 re-entry vehicle and the Space Station. Nick also spent several years in aerospace sales where he excelled, but decided the travel took him away from his kids’ events and went back into engineering. During his aerospace career, Nick and his family moved to many exciting places around the country working on various projects including San Diego, Nashville, Atlanta, Seattle and Long Beach. Near the end of his career, Nick was chosen to work on the Airbus, and he and Georgia spent 9 months living in Toulouse, France while he worked on the project.
Nick and Georgia loved to travel. They went on at least 21 cruises together and were fortunate enough to travel all over the world, including China, Japan, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and all over Europe and South America. Nick was proud to have traveled to all fifty states in the US, including his final trip with his son John to Fargo, where he was able to check North Dakota off his list! Nick’s grandkids were his delight and if you spent any amount of time with him, before you knew it, he would be talking about the grandkids and their latest adventures. He was very proud to be their Pappou.
Nick is survived by his daughter Kathy Hatfield and husband Bart Denum, daughter Cindy Farmer and husband William, and son John Zikos and wife Karen, as well as eight grandchildren; Cynthia and Shelton Hatfield, Reed (Corinne), Ford, and Sarah Katherine Farmer, Nicholas, Matthew and Emma Zikos. In addition, he is survived by his brother Mike Zikos and his wife Mary Jane as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. "In addition to his wife Georgia, Nick was preceded in death by his parents Stella and John Zikos and brother Pete Zikos and his wife Dorothy.
The family is especially grateful for the love and care of Dinah Bamulutira and Mahlet Yohannes, who became a part of the family to us all. Not only did they care for Nick and Georgia, but they loved them well.
A service celebrating Nick’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas. Following the ceremony, the burial will be held at Restland with a reception immediately following back at Holy Trinity.
While saddened at their great loss, the family is at peace knowing that Nick had put his faith in Jesus Christ. Prior to death, Nick told his family that he had had a great life and was looking forward to seeing Jesus and wife Georgia in heaven! “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
" The family welcomes donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or United Network of Ministries International (www.unomi.us) in lieu of flowers.
Funeral arrangements for Nick J. Zikos have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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