Angelo John Kalantzis' Obituary
Angelo John Kalantzis fell asleep in the Lord on August 11th, 2017, in Virginia (due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease). Angelo was born in Leonidion, Greece to John and Eleni Kalantzis. His formative years were greatly impacted by World War II and the Nazi occupation of his village, as well as the subsequent Greek Civil War. As an adult, he rose to a management position at a textile factory in Athens, Greece. Just as he was to be promoted, he decided to take a different route. He chose to come to America to join his eldest sister, Maria Colias, in Waco, Texas so that she would not be alone in the USA. He worked hard in the kitchen at the Elite in Waco, Texas, teaching himself how to speak English by reading the newspapers. Ambitious to be his own boss, he moved on to manage restaurants: a the burger place across from Baylor University, the Fifth Street cafeteria downtown, and the bowling alley on Waco Drive. In 1969 he partnered with his brother-in-law, Jim Truban, to open the JET Coffee Shop in Dallas, Texas, a partnership that thrived. In 1959 Angelo married his sweetheart, Irene, who had come to America from the same hometown as a young girl. Together, they sacrificed everything in order to raise their 3 children so that their children and grandchildren could have a better life. A job well done. “Mr. Angelo,” as he was often called, was charming, handsome, and charismatic. He had boundless energy, a playful sense of humor, and a beautiful singing voice. He was a long time member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas. Angelo was predeceased by his wife, Irene Kalantzis, his sisters, Maria Colias and Katina Velaly, and his brother Dimitri Kalantzis. He is survived by his brother, George Kalantzis (Ellie), his sister, Koula Mamai, and his children, Reverend Protopresbyter John Kalantzis, Chaplain, United States Navy (Presbytera Michelle), Elaine Mays (George Mays), Elias (Lee) Kalantzis, and his grandchildren Evan Kalantzis, George Kalantzis, and James Kalantzis. Donations in Angelo’s memory may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, TX 75240-5412. The family will receive friends on August 17th at 6:00 PM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church located at 13555 Hillcrest Rd, Dallas, TX immediately followed by Trisagion service at 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 18th, at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, immediately followed by burial at Restland Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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