George Thomas Elafros March 2022
George Thomas Elafros, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022, at the age of 96. George was an amazing man who lived a long and full life.
George was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 9,1925 and grew up in a family that had a lot of love, but little money. His father, Efthymi, immigrated to Minneapolis from Greece where he met and married Anna Rust. George was the oldest of 3 children. Efthymi supported his family with many jobs and businesses over the years. The most memorable were working in a bakery and owning a hot dog stand on the streets of Chicago. George spoke fondly of his father bringing home cakes and pies every day from the bakery for breakfast the next day. Both of his parents were very devoted to the family. George inherited his love of cooking and good food from his father. His mother, Anna, was very religious and instilled a strong faith in George. Following his mother’s guidance, George was a devoted Christian throughout his life. As a father, it was important to him that his family attend church and he taught Sunday school for many years.
George was an excellent student and was chosen to attend Crane Tech High School in Chicago, putting him on track to attend Indiana Tech University to study engineering. After graduation, George began to work at Western Electric in Chicago and transferred to Omaha, Nebraska in 1959. His entire career was spent with Western Electric.
At age 18, George was drafted into the Army and was a radio operator in the 594th Joint Assault Signal Company. The service had a profound impact on George as he was exposed to people of many different backgrounds and his service experience provided a basis for his success in life. He was close to several of the men in his unit and kept in touch them for many years.
George was a gifted athlete in his day and especially enjoyed basketball and baseball. He was a recognized basketball star on his college team. His interest in sports and his “exercise program” continued into his 90’s, giving him good health and high energy throughout his life. In 1953, George married his first wife, Donna Bashleben, in Chicago. They were married for 30 years and raised 4 children (Debbie, Tom, Jim and Bryan) together. George was devoted to the family and enjoyed coaching youth sports teams and loved planning annual family vacations.
In 1985, George married his second wife, Ann Wilbur. They traveled a lot, became “Winter Texans” and were married until Ann’s death in 1994. George stayed in touch with her daughters (Glory, Terri, Sue) until he died.
In 1996, George married his third wife, Deona Mathis after meeting as “Winter Texans” in San Benito, Tx. They moved to Houston, traveled, danced and enjoyed 25 years together until her death in 2020. George was close to her sons (Bruce, David) until he died. George had many interests including traveling, dancing and gardening. He really enjoyed carefully designing the gardens and caring for the yards at all his homes. He loved to dance and enjoyed square dancing and round dancing with his wives. One of his favorite recent memories was dancing with everyone at his granddaughter’s wedding in 2016.
By far, the greatest interest he had was in music. He played the violin as a child, but switched to the mandolin and ukulele later in life. His children also have strong memories of him playing “Never on Sunday” on the organ in their living room. George played in a ukulele band while he lived in Country Place, Tx, and was thrilled to become a part of “Bob Stiffler and Friends” after moving to University Place Retirement Community in Houston. During the last few weeks of his life, he continued to look forward to returning and playing with them again. He even played his mandolin during his final days in the hospital.
George was a people person who always looked at the bright side of life despite any obstacles he might face. He showed his love and devotion to his family by creating personal cards on his computer for every special occasion. George was a lifelong learner who grew with the times. He kept up with what was going on in the world, he did not pass judgment and was always open minded. When he was young, George thought the mark of success would be owning a Cadillac. When he could finally afford it, he realized he no longer wanted it. George truly believed and lived the old saying that life is a journey not a destination. His life was an example of a life well lived.
George will be loved, cherished and greatly missed by his daughter Debbie, sons Tom (Karen), Jim and Bryan; his grandchildren Cameron Elafros, Alexis Elafros, Sarah (Nick) Drescher, Michael (Ashley) Elafros, Jessica Elafros, Mackenzie Elafros, Matthew Elafros, David Elafros, and Jeff Elafros; and his great-grandchildren Jordan and Cooper Drescher, and Jameson and Mila Elafros.
There will be a celebration of George’s life on March 26, 2022 at 2 pm at University Place Retirement Community (7480 Beechnut, Houston Texas 77074).
George was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 9,1925 and grew up in a family that had a lot of love, but little money. His father, Efthymi, immigrated to Minneapolis from Greece where he met and married Anna Rust. George was the oldest of 3 children. Efthymi supported his family with many jobs and businesses over the years. The most memorable were working in a bakery and owning a hot dog stand on the streets of Chicago. George spoke fondly of his father bringing home cakes and pies every day from the bakery for breakfast the next day. Both of his parents were very devoted to the family. George inherited his love of cooking and good food from his father. His mother, Anna, was very religious and instilled a strong faith in George. Following his mother’s guidance, George was a devoted Christian throughout his life. As a father, it was important to him that his family attend church and he taught Sunday school for many years.
George was an excellent student and was chosen to attend Crane Tech High School in Chicago, putting him on track to attend Indiana Tech University to study engineering. After graduation, George began to work at Western Electric in Chicago and transferred to Omaha, Nebraska in 1959. His entire career was spent with Western Electric.
At age 18, George was drafted into the Army and was a radio operator in the 594th Joint Assault Signal Company. The service had a profound impact on George as he was exposed to people of many different backgrounds and his service experience provided a basis for his success in life. He was close to several of the men in his unit and kept in touch them for many years.
George was a gifted athlete in his day and especially enjoyed basketball and baseball. He was a recognized basketball star on his college team. His interest in sports and his “exercise program” continued into his 90’s, giving him good health and high energy throughout his life. In 1953, George married his first wife, Donna Bashleben, in Chicago. They were married for 30 years and raised 4 children (Debbie, Tom, Jim and Bryan) together. George was devoted to the family and enjoyed coaching youth sports teams and loved planning annual family vacations.
In 1985, George married his second wife, Ann Wilbur. They traveled a lot, became “Winter Texans” and were married until Ann’s death in 1994. George stayed in touch with her daughters (Glory, Terri, Sue) until he died.
In 1996, George married his third wife, Deona Mathis after meeting as “Winter Texans” in San Benito, Tx. They moved to Houston, traveled, danced and enjoyed 25 years together until her death in 2020. George was close to her sons (Bruce, David) until he died. George had many interests including traveling, dancing and gardening. He really enjoyed carefully designing the gardens and caring for the yards at all his homes. He loved to dance and enjoyed square dancing and round dancing with his wives. One of his favorite recent memories was dancing with everyone at his granddaughter’s wedding in 2016.
By far, the greatest interest he had was in music. He played the violin as a child, but switched to the mandolin and ukulele later in life. His children also have strong memories of him playing “Never on Sunday” on the organ in their living room. George played in a ukulele band while he lived in Country Place, Tx, and was thrilled to become a part of “Bob Stiffler and Friends” after moving to University Place Retirement Community in Houston. During the last few weeks of his life, he continued to look forward to returning and playing with them again. He even played his mandolin during his final days in the hospital.
George was a people person who always looked at the bright side of life despite any obstacles he might face. He showed his love and devotion to his family by creating personal cards on his computer for every special occasion. George was a lifelong learner who grew with the times. He kept up with what was going on in the world, he did not pass judgment and was always open minded. When he was young, George thought the mark of success would be owning a Cadillac. When he could finally afford it, he realized he no longer wanted it. George truly believed and lived the old saying that life is a journey not a destination. His life was an example of a life well lived.
George will be loved, cherished and greatly missed by his daughter Debbie, sons Tom (Karen), Jim and Bryan; his grandchildren Cameron Elafros, Alexis Elafros, Sarah (Nick) Drescher, Michael (Ashley) Elafros, Jessica Elafros, Mackenzie Elafros, Matthew Elafros, David Elafros, and Jeff Elafros; and his great-grandchildren Jordan and Cooper Drescher, and Jameson and Mila Elafros.
There will be a celebration of George’s life on March 26, 2022 at 2 pm at University Place Retirement Community (7480 Beechnut, Houston Texas 77074).
George was an Engineer at the plant - no retirement date or hire date is known