August 9, 1948-August 25, 2021
Dr. Spero Charles Peppas (Sam) passed away on Wednesday, August 25, with his wife of 45 years by his side. Spero was born in Atlanta, August 9, 1948, to the late Charles and Argiro Bagiatis Peppas. He attended Woodward Academy and Henry Grady High School and continued his education at Emory University (BBA, Marketing, 1969) and Georgia State University (MBA, Marketing, 1975, and Ph.D. International Business, 1979) He married Stephanie Andrea Routsos in 1976 and after finishing his doctorate, they moved to Switzerland where they taught at the American College of Switzerland and American Graduate School of Business for 12 years. Returning to Atlanta in 1994, he became Professor of International Business at Mercer University, where he led the School of Business’ Atlanta Studies Abroad program for 10 years. When the University System of Georgia opened a new college in Lawrenceville, he answered the call to become the first faculty member hired and joined Georgia Gwinnett College in 2006 as Professor of Marketing and International Business. He was instrumental in drafting this new school’s policies and procedures for Promotion and Credentialing and for Studies Abroad. He also helped write the initial curriculum for the School of Business’ programs.
Spero was devoted to his wife and his extended family and loved his church and Greek heritage. He was passionate about teaching students how to succeed in a global society, both in his on-campus classes and in his Studies Abroad programs. He received two Excellence in Teaching awards and two Outstanding Faculty Awards for his efforts.
Spero is survived by his wife, Stephanie, his brothers George and John (Rosemary), all of Atlanta, his niece Argie Kanellos Sirmans (Ric) of Atlanta, his nieces Deanna Kanellos Palmer (John) and Dina Kanellos Roberts (Tom), of Greenville, SC and his nephews Louis Kanellos, also of Greenville and Charles Peppas and Christopher Peppas (Melissa) of Atlanta. He is also survived by his favorite great-niece and great--nephews Zoe and Pete Sirmans and Jimmy and Sam Palmer. He was predeceased by his sister Phia Peppas Kanellos and sister-in-law Sue Thomas Peppas.
Family and friends will be received at Pattersons and Sons, Oglethorpe Hill, from 5 PM to 7 PM Sunday, August 29, with a prayer service at 6 PM. The funeral service will be held Monday, August 30 at 11 AM at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia, with interment following at Arlington Cemetery. The family thanks you for all the love, prayers, and support you have shown. Donations in Spero’s memory may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to the American Lung Association or to the Endowment Fund of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hmpattersonOglethorpe.com for the Peppas family.
