John Thomas Pappas

November 11, 1954 – August 4, 2025

John was lovingly received into Heaven on Monday, August 4. He was born in Bronx, NY where he enjoyed a wonderful childhood in the Woodlawn neighborhood that allowed him and his twin brother, Jim, to explore and make cherished memories. His dad had an ice cream business, Bungalow Bars, and John’s lifelong love of ice cream was born. In 1964, he, Jim, and his mom and dad moved to Charlotte. Coming south meant leaving his row house that included his aunt, Thea Alice. She lived above them and, oh how both boys loved to sneak up to her place for special treats and late night ice cream with her. These memories have always been some of John’s most special ones that he recalled often throughout his life. Once settled in Charlotte, a new ice cream adventure was started for his dad and Freddie Freeze was born. In John’s teenage years, he and Jim would drive the ice cream trucks throughout Charlotte neighborhoods selling treats. His quick and keen mind was like a human calculator, so this venture was an easy fit for him. He excelled in school and always loved history. He also shared a love of sports and played football in high school. An addition of another brother, Alex, was welcomed when John was 13 and then another brother, Richard, when John was 17. John loved to share how he was returning from a trip to Greece with his Thea Alice and when they arrived in NY he was met with “It’s a boy!” signs. Immediately, people were congratulating him on his new “son”! After graduating from high school, John enlisted in the Air Force and had served a little over a year when he received the news that his dad had passed away suddenly. He returned back to Charlotte to help his mom and young brothers. During this time he also started college at UNC-Charlotte. Excelling and reaching the Dean’s List was an easy leap for him. His love of history and desire to make a difference led him to a path of education. He graduated with a BS degree in History in 1977.

Before he embarked on his teaching path, in September of his senior year in college, he met a gal, Susie, on a blind date and she immediately stole his heart. He shared this story often with her during their 48 years of marriage. On New Year’s Eve, just minutes before welcoming in 1977, they became engaged in his YiaYia’s home in NY. The wedding planning was on and, in order to honor both families, it was decided that there would be an intimate Greek wedding service at 10am at the Greek Orthodox Church and then a traditional Methodist wedding at the Methodist Church at 2pm on the same day. June 30, 1977 was about 100 degrees in Charlotte and driving away from the second ceremony, clusters of balloons flew out of the car as the heat had stuck them together! So many cherished memories of special times together but some of the best were the love of the beach that was shared by John and Susie – beach bums for sure. Their commitment to each other and Christ was the foundation of their marriage.

John taught junior high in 1977 and, prompted by his love of history, established a junior historian club. He moved from the classroom to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools administration in 1984 and rose to the position of Director of Personnel for Elementary Schools in 1985. His own desire for more learning took him back to UNC-Charlotte and he graduated with his Masters degree in Educational Administration in 1990. In 1997, he made the move to corporate finances and gained AML (anti-money laundering) certification. Through many mergers of the banks, John found his love of teaching once again in 2014, helping to create the Enterprise Functions Testing and Validation program as a senior director. He retired from Wells Fargo in 2021 from this position. He was meticulous, very detailed, and his astute mind brought him many fulfilled days of accomplishment.

However, the greatest joys and deepest pride he felt were in his son, Andrew, and daughter, Elizabeth. The love he gave them and received in return were of upmost importance to him. So many moments and too many to share them all, but the look on his face when he walked his baby girl down the aisle, pure love. Then for him to be able to stand with his son on so many occasions, bursting with pride over another accomplishment Andrew had received, pure love. Then son-in-law, Brandon, and daughter-in-law, Jessie, rounded out the family unit beautifully. He would say often, “We are blessed.” Becoming a Papou in 2012 was monumental and as each new grand came into his life, the pride and joy was more and more evident. What started out as two had become ten and it fit him like a glove! He so cherished the times he would play catch with Andrew as a child and then to be able to do that with grandson, Ethan, was priceless. Sharing a love of Charlie Chaplin with grandson, Noah, delighting in granddaughter, Madolyn’s beautiful artistic talent and sharing sweet quiet times with grandson, Lucas…all priceless! Of course, the best for him was getting out the ice cream and hearing all four come running.

John’s assurance and belief in his Lord Jesus Christ has given this journey such peace for his family. He loved the citywide Bible study he attended with Andrew, and all ten of us worshipping together in church on Sunday meant so much to him.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 48 years, Susie Bilbro Pappas; son Andrew Pappas (Jessie) of Raleigh, NC; daughter Elizabeth Hill (Brandon) of Garner, NC; grandchildren Noah, Madolyn, Ethan, and Lucas; aunt Thea Alexandra Nickas, Davidson, NC; brothers Alex Pappas (Dee) of Greenville NC, and Richard Pappas (Eilish) of Cornelius, NC; sister-in-law Cordie Pappas of Anderson, SC; cousin Nick Vlahos (Lee), Clayton, NC; many loving nieces and nephews; great nieces, Riley and Maggie; and last but not least, the Bilbro and Jones families.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Diana Pappas; twin brother Jim Pappas; aunt and uncle Theo George and Thea Catherine Vlahos; and his beloved grandmother, YiaYia JoJo.

Deep appreciation to the multitude of prayer warriors who came beside our family and supported John and us in this journey. To God be the glory.

Also, special thanks to the absolute best group ever at ICU WakeMed/Cary and the team at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday August 16, 2025 at the Jamestown Presbyterian Church 1804 Guilford College Rd. Jamestown, NC. 27282. Interment will follow in Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday August 15, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home Sedgefield Chapel 6000 West Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, NC 27407.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that memorial contributions be made to:

Transitions LifeCare at www.transitionslifecare.org or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.