John 12:26 “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.”
Mike was born November 8, 1926 in Houston on St. Michael’s day in the family home only a short distance from the first Greek Orthodox Church on Walker Street. He was the youngest of eight children and the entire family walked to church together every Sunday. He was most affectionately known as “Papou Sugar” by many who knew and loved him.
His love for the church began as a toddler and grew stronger as he got older. At the age of eight, he was sweeping and cleaning the church, cleaning the kandilia, filling them with fresh oil, and hanging them back up again. He was a dedicated altar boy and especially enjoyed assisting the late Father Nanopoulos with putting on his vestments before each church service and liturgy.
At the age of 10, Mike began working odd jobs to help support his family, but he still rarely missed attending church services on Sunday. He attended Dow Elementary and Middle School and Sam Houston High School in downtown Houston. Before graduating from high school, he joined his three brothers, the late Harry, Jimmy, and Angelo in the armed forces, the U.S. Navy in World War II, and was stationed in Port Chicago, California. His mentor and idol, big brother Jimmy, gave his life in the war to protect our freedom.
Upon being discharged in July 1946, after the war, Mike attended the University of Houston and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture in 1951. He used his architectural abilities to help design the Houston Astrodome. He continued his architectural studies under the late Frank Lloyd Wright and became an expert in designing Usonian homes. His present family home is a Usonian home and was featured as a Houston landmark in the American Institute of Architects, Houston Architectural Guide. Mike started his own architectural firm 20 years ago and was still in business at the same location.
He was a proud member of the Reagan Masonic Lodge #1037.
Mike began teaching Sunday School at the Cathedral 49 years ago under the direction of former administrator, Mrs. Mary Bellos. He has continued on under the leadership of Mrs. Irene Cassis, and over this period of time has watched the Sunday School grow and flourish. In 1972 he visited the Holy Land so that he would be able to do the best job possible in teaching his bible study classes.
Mike enjoyed teaching the adult class tremendously, and holds in highest esteem his class attendees, the Sunday School staff and everyone involved with the Cathedral.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Mary Kleoudis Verges; and daughter, Margaret Verges Michalopulos and her husband George and grandsons, Denny and Michael Michalopulos all of Owasso, OK; sisters-in-law, Pauline Verges and Delores Pappas; and beloved in laws the late Katherine Michalopulos, Deno and Artemis Michalopulos; nieces, Effie Ambrose, Viki Moustoukas, and Margaret Minetos; nephews, Jim H. Verges, Larry J. Coukis, Jimmy G. Verges, Monty Kalogeras, Johnny Kalogeras, and Dennis J. Pappas.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the medical staff at Kindred and Methodist Hospital for the attentive care given to Mike during his time of need.
Serving as pallbearers are Jim Verges, George Papajohn, Jimmy G. Verges, Doug Harris, Mike Spartalis, Donald Williams, Dennis Pappas, Dominic Verges, and Jamie Peet. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Nick J. Papadopoulos, Dr. Rudolph Harris, Manuel Maligas, Jack Lymberry, Tom Pearson, John Barrow, Robert Vaughn, Phil Moss, Ernie Pekmezaris, Duc Nguyen, and John A. Papajohn.
Friends are invited to visitation with the family beginning at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, August 11, 2011, with the Trisagion Prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 12, 2011, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, TX 77006. Burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family request remembrances be made to the Sunday Church School at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, TX 77006.
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