James Steven Lekas

James retired U.S. Navy Captain James “Jim” Steven Lekas, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on February 25, 2022, after a prolonged illness. He was 85 years old. James was born on November 14, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, his family attended Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. He attended the Morgan Park Military Academy and graduated from Austin High School in 1954. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned a B.S. in Dentistry in 1956 and then enrolled in the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and earned his D.D.S. in 1960. Afterwards, he joined the U.S. Navy and reported for duty at Naval Base San Diego. He traveled the country and the world while serving; his assignments included the Philippines, Japan, the USS Bushnell, and he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He had a tour in Vietnam from 1968-9. After Vietnam, he attended the University Of Maryland Graduate Dental Program in Periodontics. He retired from the Navy after 31 years. After retirement, he started a second career teaching at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and was Chair of Dental Programs at Florida State College of Jacksonville. After retiring from clinical practice, he consulted for Aetna Insurance for many years.

Jim grew up on the West Side of Chicago near Central Ave. He started working at eight years old with a paper route and had various jobs including delivery boy, assistant cook, and nightwatchman; he worked until he was 81. He had a lot of freedom as a child and explored Chicago with his older brother. They went fishing in Lake Michigan and went to summer camp at the YMCA. He broke more than one window playing baseball in front of his apartment. The 4th of July was spent at Soldier Field watching fireworks. He met his future bride on a blind date when he was asked to pick up “Elfriede the blonde” at the airport. He knew he had met a good woman when his convertible top was leaking in the rain and she responded, “I'll just move my feet.” The two dated about a year and then married. He was soon called to serve in Vietnam where he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor. He returned and was stationed in Baltimore, Maryland where his daughter, Andrea, was born. Next, it was off to Italy and his son, Bryan, was born. Jim enjoyed a long career in the Navy and met many wonderful lifelong friends.

Jim loved his family and was happiest when his family was happy. He had simple needs and few wants in life. He was outgoing, kind, gentle and always ready to socialize. He never met a stranger. He always said the best decision he ever made was marrying Elfriede (Elfi) and the second best decision was joining the Navy. Jim's dedication to Elfi was endless and he continued to refer to her as “my bride” even after 53 years of marriage. Jim's profession was dentistry but his passion was poker. He played from his youth until he passed and made many friends and more dollars. He was not a mathematician but knew the odds of drawing to an inside straight. He also enjoyed reading, traveling and visiting the friends he had made all over the world.

James is survived by his wife, Elfriede (Rittershaus) Lekas of Jacksonville, Florida; his daughter Andrea Irina Garland and son-in-law Richard Garland, his son Bryan James Lekas and daughter-in-law Melinda Lekas; as well as two grandchildren, Emily Lekas and Carter Lekas, and one great-grandson, Colton Garland. James is also survived by seven nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Steve Lekas and his mother Irene (Philipakis) Lekas, as well as his older sister Dorothy Nichols, his oldest brother George Lekas, and his older brother Anthony Lekas. He was also predeceased by his grand-daughter, Crystal Michelle Lekas-Garland.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Mandarin Presbyterian Church – Loretto Rd. Campus, 2501 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223. A reception will follow at the home of Judy Washington, 1811 River Plantation Dr N, Jacksonville, FL 32223. For more details online, visit www.dignitymemorial.com.

Hardage-Giddens Mandarin Funeral Home is proud to served the family.