Dr. Demetrius Karathanos

Dr. Demetrius Karathanos, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, July 12, 2012, at his home.

He was born in Argos Orestikon, Greece, to Nikolas and Anthi Papademetriou Karathanos. Growing up he loved river swimming, playing soccer with his friends and eating sweets at the local village bakery.

Demetrius and Patricia Hager were married June 9, 1969, in Montreal. Born to them were three children, Nikolas Karathanos of Cape Girardeau, Father Achilles Karathanos (Pres. Yianna) of Belleville, Ill., Dr. Katya Karathanos (Billy Aguilar) of San Jose, Calif.; Father Achilles and Pres. Yianna have four children, Demetri, Isa, Samuel and Isaac, who continually made Demetrius smile. He is also survived by a sister, Asimina Lioukou of Argos Orestikon, and her family.

Demetrius received bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He received a Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. He taught quantitative courses in the department of management at Southeast Missouri State University 26 years.

During this time, he served the U.S. Department of Commerce as senior examiner of businesses applying for the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Demetrius modeled his philosophy of a balanced life. Among many ways this is evidenced by his helping to create and develop the youth soccer program in Cape Girardeau. He also enjoyed tennis and its social trappings. Demetrius was reputed to be one of few who could "call a line," in tennis and some might add, "in all aspects of his life."

Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. The Trisagion service will be at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park. Fathers Daniel Morten, Joseph Strzelecki and Achilles Karathanos will officiate.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.