"Leave people better than you found them." The most simple way to describe a man who left a lasting impression on everyone. Grigorios (Greg) A. Karahalios was the most honorable, kind, and honest man that our family could have been blessed to have as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He had a genuine care for the people he encountered regardless of his trials and tribulations. He endured many hardships as a child living in poverty, and faced many obstacles as a young immigrant coming to the United States to make a life for himself and the family he left behind. He arrived on American soil as a teenager with empty pockets but hopeful thoughts. He was born on November 8, 1931 in Levidi, Greece. Son of Apostolos and Yiannoula Karahalios, he was the youngest of eight siblings. In 1951 he immigrated to the United States, found work at the Kennecott Copper Mine in McGill, Nevada and while continuing to work, graduated from White Pines High School. In 1956 he was drafted to the United States Army. After serving his country in Korea, he came to Salt Lake City, Utah where he established final residence and continued with the military for a total of 32 years. Though Greek by birth he was complimented on his patriotism to the country that gave him an opportunity to provide his family with a better life. Through the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard as Sergeant First Class he was decorated with numerous medals, honors, badges and ribbons. Once in Salt Lake City, Greg began his 30 year career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Department of Psychology as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. Education was always very important to him. In the fall of 1983 he finally reached a point where his family\s financial situation both in Greece and the United States were stable enough for him to return to school. He completed the substance abuse counselor certification program through the University of Utah College of Social Work, a life long dream of his to further educate himself to better help those in need. At his retirement he received an award for never having taken a sick day in 30 years of employment. For several years he walked to and from work, a total of 10 miles a day, because he did not have the means for transportation. Greg used the majority of his income to send money to his family in Greece in order to ensure that his sisters had a proper dowry to better their lives and find marriage in Greece. In September 1965 he returned to Greece where he met and married the love of his life Theodora (Roula) Giannikoulis. Upon their arrival back in the United States they started a family with the birth of their first daughter, Joanne, followed by their son Apostoli (Tolly). In 1970, Greg lost his brother who resided with him in the United States (and sister-in-law) to a tragic car accident. They left behind two sons, Greg's nephews, Paul and George, who were taken in by Greg and Roula and raised as their own. Later Greg and Roula had a third child, daughter Jamie. Greg was a devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake where he was a chanter for over 45 years, rarely ever missing aSunday. He loved his garden, grapes, and homemade wine. He was a consummate chef, but the simplicity and elegance of his breakfasts at the family cabin in Scofield were the most memorable. Our Dad was a noble man who worked so very hard all of his life, and has instilled within us his pride, hard work ethic and family values. He loved nothing more than to be surrounded by his family and to tell stories and endless funny jokes. As we would gather as a family, he would quietly sneak away at the end of the night to take a nap, as he did during his final hours. While surrounded by his family, the ones who loved him the most, he quietly left us. Near and far, you will be greatly missed by the lives you so lovingly touched. Rest in eternal peace. Your memory and presence will forever be eternal, Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη. We love you!
Survived by his loving wife Roula of 52 years, daughter Joanne (Dr. Bill) Sergakis, son Tolly and daughter Jamie (Nick) Tsandes, nephews Paul (Rena) and George (Eleni) Karahalios. Also loved by his ten grandchildren Vasileia, Gregory, Mihali, Theodora (Thaia), Kosti, Marco, Vasiliki, Panayioti, Vasso, and Gregory. Godchildren Steven Christopoulos, Nicole Rebol and Melene Klentos. He was preceded in death by his parents, all seven siblings, and his in-laws.
The family would like to thank Dr. Phillip Kithas and the great care and staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital, the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah Hospital - especially nurse Shad and all the doctors and supportive care that gave him the dignity, respect and compassion until his last breath. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to The Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake or the Alzheimer\s Foundation of America.
Funeral services will be held onSaturday, February 17, 2018 at 11:30 a.m.at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 5335 South Highland Drive, Holladay. Interment immediately to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City. Friends may call at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church onFriday, February 16th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.with a Trisagion service at7:00 p.m.
