Carl C.(Constantine) Kafantaris passed away on Sunday January 8, 2023 at home at age 89. Carl was born at home in Gary, Indiana on November 18, 1933 to parents Constantine Kafantaris and Ruth Harris Kafantaris.
Carl graduated from Froebel High School in Gary, Indiana in 1951. During his high school years he spent numerous hours with his friends known as the "Secret Six": John, Mike, Max, Tom, Bob, and Carl at the Gary-Alerding Settlement "GAS" House on the corner of W15th Avenue and Van Buren Street, walking distance to Froebel and adjacent to St. Anthony's Catholic Chapel.
After graduation Carl entered into active service in the Navy on June 15, 1951 at Great Lakes, Illinois and then on to the US Navy Submarine Base at Mare Island, California on the USS Sperry. He later was based at the Naval Station Pearl Harbor. He was Honorably Discharged on June 24, 1959.
Carl began his career as a Structural Steel Detailer in Indiana working for US Steel and American Bridge drawing the steel components for high rise buildings and bridges. In that era drawings were done by hand and dimensions calculated using slide rulers and texts to determine the specific required measurements for safety and code. In 1979 he realized a long term dream and moved to Southern California to continue his work with Steel Companies detailing and checking. In 1997 he moved to Las Vegas and worked with Union Erectors until his retirement when he took up golf in his 70s.
Carl traveled to Hawaii to visit the Arizona Memorial, Greece to see his father's roots and meet family, Germany for the Christmas Markets and England and Scotland where he was able to hit a few balls on the putting green at Old Course St. Andrews, Scotland, the highlight of this trip. His final trip was as a Korean war veteran invitee for the Honor Flight of Southern Nevada, April 27, 2018 that flew to Washington DC to visit the various memorials: National World War II, Iwo Jima, Korean War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans and the Arlington National Cemetery.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents Constantine and Ruth, brother Nick, former wife Lois. He is survived by his children: Randy of Koontz Lake, IN, Carolyn of Las Vegas, NV, Kim Hurley (Joe) of Schererville, IN and Nick of Cedar Lake, IN; wife Judith, her children Jeffrey Human (Charlotte), Michigan City, IN. and Mary McGough, Cherry Valley, CA; nephews; Bruce, Frank, Mark and niece Ruth; grandchildren: Gary (Sydney), Keith, Miranda, Morgan, Plealtheal, John; great grandchildren: Onyx, Olive, and Carter.
Carl's wishes for cremation and no services were honored. Carl valued his family and friends.Remember him for the times you were all together on trips and cruises, gathered for celebrations, played golf, gambled at the casinos, drank Grey Goose and smoked cigars, shared stories and reminisced. You are missed, Greek.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmdowntownmortuary.com for the Kafantaris family.
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