John Theodore Pappas

Funeral services will be at Saint Sophia Cathedral on December 11, 2024, at 11:00 am. There will be a short reception after the service if you wish to offer your condolences to the family.

John was born in East Los Angeles on May 3, 1931, to Panayiota (Nota) and Teddy Pappas, both from the village of Achladokampos, Greece. He was the eldest of two children, and adored his younger sister, Demetra. He was known as “Johnny” by his beloved family.

His father, Teddy, came to America at the age of 12 and migrated to Los Angeles.

He and his family were dedicated members of the Los Angeles-based Greek community since the inception of the Greek Orthodox church in Los Angeles. The church was the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin Mary on San Julian Street until the construction of Saint Sophia Cathedral. John began his service to the church as an altar boy. As a young boy, he learned the meaning of hard work when he worked for his Father’s market, Marengo Market in East Los Angeles. He even drove deliveries at the age of 11. He played the violin and enjoyed singing. John attended Garfield High School, where he played football, and was in a band with his Greek friends, playing at different GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association) events around town. He also was National President of GOYA for several years. He loved Frank Sinatra, so in the 1950’s, he went to see him at various Hollywood nightclubs, driving his prized possession, a red convertible 1958 XK 150 Jaguar.

He attended USC as a Pre-Med student. In the middle of college, he joined the United States Air Force as a medical technician, assisting in various surgeries for soldiers returning from battle during the Korean War. He served in Military Hospitals, primarily in St. Louis, Missouri. Two years later, he returned to Los Angeles and finished his education at USC. After serving in the war during the most challenging circumstances, he decided to change his major from Pre-Med to Business. He went to work for a clothing store chain and fell in love with men’s clothing, and in 1958, decided to open The Andover Shop in San Marino on Huntington Drive.

In 1960, John was introduced to Bessie Coutroulis by mutual friends from San Diego. Their friends drove Bessie to meet John at his business in San Marino. After that, Bessie flew back home to Chicago and told her mom that she was going to” lose her to the man she met in San Marino.” They dated for several months before John flew back to Chicago and proposed. They were married on a snowy day, January 1, 1961, at St. Demetrios Orthodox Church. The reception was at The Blackstone Hotel. John moved his new Bride to Arcadia, California, and they started a family immediately. Their first son Theodore was born in 1961, Nicholas was born 3 years later, and their daughter Valerie was born 6 years later in 1970.

Aside from running a successful men’s clothing store, his love and devotion to the church were unwavering. He was very active in his church, St. Sophia Cathedral, and his Greek Orthodox Faith was always most important to him. He served as President of the Parish Council for 5 terms: 3 consecutive terms in the 1970s and 2 in the 1980s. During his time as President in the 1970’s, he and his Parish Council were responsible for building the first Community Center at St Sophia. After his tenure with the Parish Council, he was elected as a Trustee of The Saint Sophia Foundation. During this time, John was very involved and worked closely with Ernie Anast and Alek Haidos on the maintenance and repairs of the Cathedral. He loved to serve his church and the parishioners. On March 5, 1992, he was recognized as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by Archbishop Iakovos, the highest honor for a layperson in the Orthodox Church. He received this honor at a ceremony in New York City and his Archon title was Primikiros, which means Lay Ecclesiarch from the Byzantine period.

The Andover Shop remained a mainstay for men’s fine clothing in San Marino, and he opened a women’s store during the 1980’s in the same building. John became one of the most well-known and respected Haberdasher’s in Los Angeles. He dressed influential corporate executives and business owners from some of the most well-known companies in Southern California. In addition, he dressed every USC President with custom-made USC jackets and other formal suits.

After 48 years, he sold the business, partnered with John Carroll of the renowned Carroll & Co. in Beverly Hills, and helped him open a new store on Lake Street in Pasadena. He officially retired at 80 years old, and he and Bess sold their San Marino house after 40 years to move closer to their daughter, Valerie, and her family in Calabasas. He spent the last part of his life enjoying his home, children, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Bess, his devoted sons Ted and Nick, his beloved daughter Valerie (Jorge) and adoring grandchildren, Alexander and Elena.

John’s wish was that donations be made to Walking Strong, in honor of his grandson, Alexander. www.walkingstrong.org