James B. Tsagaris

James B. Tsagaris, 85, of Rock Island, IL passed away Wednesday November 15, 2017 at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis, IL.

 Services are 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Rock Island. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island, with a Trisagion service at 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Rock Island or to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, East Moline, IL.

 James was born March 14, 1932 in Kalamata, Greece, a son of Basil and Ellen Panayotounis Tsagaris. He married Clara A. Fanakos in 1959 in Athens, Greece.  She preceded him in death on January 29, 2008.

As a young man, he was a world class runner who ran in both the ancient and modern Olympic stadiums, winning many honors and awards. His coach was a former Olympian who ran against Jesse Owens in Olympics.  He was a great swimmer and soccer player. He loved football, basketball, The Chicago Cubs,  and later in life, enjoyed walking his dogs, Killer and Smokey.

As a loving husband and father, he planned long family road trips all over the United States, and especially to California, where he knew the way to San Jose better than anyone else.  Always an excellent driver, he faithfully drove his family to work, class, conferences, etc. He enjoyed making furniture and doll houses for his family, enjoyed Westerns,  politics,  philately and coins, books about  The Civil war,  singing, and dancing traditional Greek dances. He loved Greek music,  and read military history, and biography. His two favorite songs were “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and “White Christmas.” He was supportive of his wife’s career and of his daughter’s adventures as well.

 He was an officer in the Royal Hellenic Air Force and served with NATO and the U.S. Air Force. In Athens, he studied at the military academy and taught mathematics for the air force, then became a pilot.   He was stationed at Scott Air Base, Belleville, IL, and studied there engineering and radio.  After marrying in Athens and starting a family, he ran for office in Athens, then decided to move to Rock Island.  He soon became an American Citizen, which was the proudest accomplishment of his entire life. 

Later, he worked as an electrical engineer for Golf and Western Eagle Signal, Uticorp Technologies, and other companies.  He became Sales and Quality Control Manager for Uticorp where he served for many years. 

Jim, as he liked to be called, traveled the world for his job and for the military, visiting every continent but Antarctica.  He spoke several languages including French, Classical Greek, Modern Greek, Italian, and English.  He taught seminars in English and business at conferences all over the United States and Canada and often contributed to professional publications. He was an independent thinker, fair, and passionate in his beliefs.

He survived the Fascists, the Nazis, and the communists growing up in Greece, and for a few terrifying days, was interred in a make-shift camp with his father by the leftists during the uprisings that occurred in the late 1940s.  Jim was a skilled storyteller, and was writing his memoirs at the time of his death. 

 Surviving are his daughter, Ellen Marie Tsagaris-Milani, and her husband Dino Milani, Rock Island; grandson, Mitchell Milani, Rock Island; sister and brother-in-law, Maria and Michael Sparrakis, Athens, Greece; nephew, Steven (Lisa) Fanakos Street, Rockford, IL; nieces, Kate Fanakos Street Holland, Anaheim, CA, and Marilena Sparrakis, Athens;  sister-in-law and brother-in-law Connie and James Fanakos, San Jose and numerous other family.

 James was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, wife, a daughter in infancy; sister, Angelique Tsagaris, beloved cousin Soulis Kutsodimitropoulos, beloved cousin and noted poet Panos Panayotounis.

The family thanks Kim, Kayla, Meagan, Mary, Lauren, Ruth, Maria, Kay Ellen, Bri, Melody, Joni, Roger, Emily, Renae, Lenny, Jaxon, Jordan, Brooklyn, Bristol, and everyone who helped us at home. We also thank Steve, Dr. Buckrop, Dr. Wayne, Andrea, and Christy, who visited Jim at home when he needed their help.

Taps played today for a good soldier, a brave heart, and a beloved husband, son, brother, and father.  He was our knight in shining armor, and the kindest of men.  “Good night, sweet prince; flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

 Service Information