I didn't know you, Kevin, having been from the side of the family that had its roots in southern Maine, but I am deeply saddened by your departure. I am located on the limb of our shared family tree somewhere under the name of my grandfather, James Demetriou; a cousin, I believe, to Vamvakias. You were three years my elder, from a distant land called Texas, and a total stranger by most accounts, yet I know I imagined you once when I first saw your name on a depiction of our family tree at a New Year celebration in Brookline, MA when I was very young. Here was a far-removed cousin named Kevin, close to my age, probably more Greek-looking than I, probably as weary of school as I was, perhaps at that very moment celebrating the New Year with his familiars in the warm(er) heat of a Texas January. Did he enjoy baseball cards as much as I did? Was Michael Jordan one of his heroes too? Had he actually begun to celebrate girls as something other than mere fixtures complicating the joys of boyhood? None of these answers would I ever ascertain from mysterious cousin Kevin, our paths would never cross, and it is tragic that now as grown men if we did ever mean to cross paths to learn about each other- our histories, joys, passions or complaints- then that is impossible. But please take heart knowing that our sprawling, irrepressibly loving family will go on, for even now as I speak my wife Christa and I are expecting our first child, and will add yet another bloom to our family legacy.
My heartfelt condolences to everyone,
Nathan Taylor 

Kevin and I grew up across the street from each other.  One of my fondest memories was we were playing house and I made him a mud pie and gave it to him.  Which he then preceded to actually take a bite of it.  Then turned to his mom and said,"Mom Erin made me eat mud!"  Ah Kevin you were always a crazy kid!  I hadn't had any contact with you in a long time.  That makes me sad and it makes me want to get in touch with all my old friends before its too late.  You are a great person and heaven is better for having you.

Faye, Chris, Nicky and Damon,
   May you all find it within yourselves to be able to pick up and move on but never forget.  You all raised a wonderful, loving guy.  He will be missed.
                                              Erin Smith-Eubanks

Dear Nicole and Damon,

Thanks for sharing Kevin's pictures. Seeing Kevin enjoy his family and friends gives us a glimpse into his short life -- and his kind and gentle demeanor. Our heart goes out to you and your family. Please take care -- and we look forward to seeing you soon.

love,

Dilawar & Salma

Dear Kevin,
For you, the book of life has had a sudden conclusion---so many chapters left unwritten. We all know how much you had yet to offer this world. Your legacy will have to be your wide, mischievous smile and sense of merriment; your impressive intellect; and your wise counsel to friends.  Such a loss can only be tempered by the knowledge that, in the final chapter of your life's story, you were loved and held in high regard by family and friends.

Ah- this is hard. Kevin and I have only been friends for a few years. We met through Jane- she wanted to introduce us, hoping that we would date. That didn't quite work out, but Kevin and I got to be pretty good friends. We talked a lot about grand ideas- I like to call it "scheming." Kevin used to leave me ridiculously long voice mail messages- I miss those. He was always so funny- so smart. He brought the best out in me, and he really made me THINK about stuff instead of just accepting things they way they were. I keep looking at his pictures- his smile was really great. He was really great- I miss him.

Kevin, Was A very Happy guy, He always came into the office with a great smile. He was very caring and outgoing. He will be missed by so many and especially me.

A Spiritual Journey 
by Faye Kilday

Life is a spiritual journey from 

the first day of our birth, 

Life is a spiritual journey on this 

beautiful planet called earth. 

Life is a spiritual journey - 

we're here to learn all we can, 

Life is a spiritual journey - 

a special gift from God to man.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the privilege in knowing you but I got to hear a lot about you from Paul.  He said he lived down the street from you in high school and you played football together. Also something about him having an old pick up truck parked in your parent's drive way for over a month.  I laughed!  Because that sounds like something Paul would have done.  He called you a good friend and like the rest of his friends, he speaks highly of all of you.  I wish he could have done more of the guy things with you before now.  I hope Paul and the rest of the guys will honor you by keeping in touch and doing more of the fishing and hunting together.   

God Bless you and your family.

Crystal Boyd (Paul's Wife)

Kevin,  I have a lot of fond memories of when we use to hang out all time.  I'm grateful to have known you and been your friend.  You really don't know what you have until it's gone.  I wish we could have hung out more.  I'm really going to miss you and pray that your family will be alright.    

Your Friend,
Paul Boyd 



Ex Work Colleague

My sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Kevin. He was intellectual, a good debater, and put a lot of effort into learning. He would always be forthcoming to share his knowledge and often went out of his way to help me. I learnt much from Kevin, especially to challenge assumptions and to embrace new ideas.

With fond memories of someone with a quest to learn and share.

Stephen Kibby.

Kevin, one more thing. I want you to be alive.  When are you going to be out of Heaven? I miss you.  ~Wyatt (4 yrs)

I want you to hear my Dolly Parton cd.  My favorite songs are Joshua and Potential New Boyfriend.  I love you. ~Wyatt Harris.

I attended the wake and final services for Kevin this weekend. I knew Kevin as a friend of Josh's, my son. Most of "that group" of guys were there this weekend. They had such fun during their school years and after when they got together. They were such a tight group that some of the girls who came and went complained that "the guys" always came first. I listened to them all talk about Kevin with love and the sorrow of losing him. Some had regrets in not staying in touch but mostly they talked about Kevin, the real Kevin good and bad. Craig Lunsford gave the most poignant line in this all. Kevin taught him on Tuesday at 8:36 November 14th that he needed to stay in touch with his friends more and be less judgmental. What a lesson Kevin has taught us all in that. I'm sure he would have something, if not alot, to say to that. In the end it's a lesson we all need to learn.  Life is just to short, no matter the length.
Rest in peace Kevin.

I first met Kevin in the 5th grade.  We were in the same class and he sat next to me.  Kevin never had his own school supplies and always tried to borrow mine.  The problem with that was I liked my crayons to remain sharp and wouldn't let Kevin borrow them.  He teased me about this for the rest of the time I knew him!  
Kevin and I were the closest during a very difficult time in my life when my parents were getting divorced.  Kevin was always understanding and accepting of everything that was confusing and hurting me.  He was such a great friend to me during that time.  I needed him.
After Kevin died, I had a dream that night.  I woke up laughing and my husband said I had been laughing in my sleep for 20 min.  He said he was enjoying listening to it and didn't want to wake me up.  I know it was Kevin who visited me that night.  I always laughed when I was with Kevin.
I will miss him.  I wish I had kept up our friendship over the years.  I regret not keeping in better touch with him.

Kevin was the best friend I've ever had.
He was the man in my life that I could always lean on, who I could always count on, who asked for nothing in return but my friendship.
He believed in me and stuck with me through thick and thin.  He knew when I needed words of encouragement, and he knew when I needed to have some sense knocked in to me.  He did it all out of love.
His friendship has made my life better, and has made me a more complete person.
Kevin taught me how to be a man.
I can only hope that my son is fortunate enough to find a friend like Kevin to share life with.

Faye,

I was so sad when Jackie called me about Kevin's untimely death.  Life can be too fragile and fleeting.

My heart goes out to you and your family at this time.

With thoughts and prayers,

Kathy

I am cousin Chris Johnson's wife, just wanted to send my heartfelt sympathy for your family's loss. I will keep you all, and Kevin, in my prayers.
Most sincerely,
Leslie Johnson

Dear Kevin:

It's too late now I know.  I never thought I wouldn't get a chance to talk to you again.  I kept meaning to call, but I didn't want to make it harder than it already was.  Now more hearts are broken.  I need you to know that even though we were not together when you left your family and friends, I always cared deeply for you.  Both our lives were difficult when we were together and I was not strong enough to hold on.  You helped me live and become Rachel again, and your will never know how much you impacted my life and changed me for the better forever.  I will miss you tremendously.  I am so sorry that I didn't get to say goodbye and things were left the way they were.  I hope you are happy where you are, because you deserve so much after you have given so much.

Love,
Rachel

Well my friend, I saw you for the last time to say 'goodbye'. Though we knew little of each other outside of High School, we were the best of pals in our younger years. It was always Kevin, Kirk and Gareth and there wasn't a trail in The Woodlands that we did not cover together in those days. Laughter and fun were something that you always brought to the table. We played football together on the field and on the streets. I would not trade those days for the world. Damn, life seemed so much easier back then. Well pal, I will miss you and I know that you are safe in the hands of our creator. My memories of you will stay with me until we meet again. -Kirk Moore

We were saddened to learn of Kevin's death.  We met Kevin here at our home in Dayton Texas for a gathering with our daughter Steffani for her birthday and also for her and Kyle  friends to see our grandson Hayden for the first time this past April.  We enjoyed talking to Kevin and did tell him what a kind and gentle person he was.  We know he will be greatly missed.  We were blessed to have met such a kind spirit.

OBITUARY

Kevin C. Vamvakias

22 November, 1974 – 14 October, 2008

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery

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