James Mataxas Jr.

James Mataxas Jr., 91, died on Saturday, October 25, 2014. James was born in Savannah in 1923 and grew up in the Old Fort area of Savannah on Bay and Habersham St. His early years were that of going to church and school as his later years would show. In the 1920's he attended Abercorn St. School and would later attend Benedictine High school where he played football. Growing up he made many friends. When World War II came he was enlisted in the Army/ Air Corp. He spent his tenure in India and Burma. In the war he flew over the hump (which is what the G.I.'s referred to as the Himalayans). The solders flew in gliders made of canvas and rope and many didn't make it. He always said after that he felt his hearing was impaired from the altitude. Never the less, he loved the experience of being able to do that. When leaving the service he immediately moved back to Savannah and started taking courses at Armstrong State College, while helping his father run the family business on Bay St. He then met his wife and got married. After he got married, he attended University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in Accounting. Also, while attending University of Georgia he joined the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. James then moved back to Savannah Georgia to work in the Accounting Field in the Civil Service. While with the Civil Service he was appointed to the Federal Government Accounting Association. He was also awarded the Government Master's Program Award because of his work in the planning, managing, and reporting for audit managers and supervisors. He got citations of merit in many aspects of his work. He retired Comptroller Director for his many years of service. He and his wife traveled extensively through Europe. Most of all, Greece was his favorite place to visit. His father was originally from Greece so he got to keep in contact with his cousins that lived there. James was dedicated to his country in the military and Civil Service. He was a man of great faith and loved his family dearly. His memory will be ever treasured by his son Robert Mataxas (Mary Ann), grandchildren; Anna, James, and Rahal and his sister Pattie Pine (Glenn); many great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Fairhaven Funeral Home - Hubert C. Baker Chapel. Trisagion Service: 7 p.m. Sunday at Fairhaven Funeral Home - Hubert C. Baker Chapel. Funeral Services: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, with interment at Bonaventure Cemetery.