George Theodore Regas

George Theodore Regas passed peacefully away on October 14th in the home of his daughter, Theo Regas. His wishes were to be with his family and puppy dogs during his last few days. George was born in St. Louis to his Greek immigrant parents on October 27, 1926.

George had an unusual life. His parents came to the United States to have a better life for themselves and their children. Both his Mother and Father had children during their previous marriages so George was born into a family with much older half brothers and sisters. George was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and could read, write and speak Greek fluently. His parents raised him to be independent and expected him to work to earn his way in life. On his 17th birthday, he volunteered for service in the Navy to fight for his country in WWII which served until the end of the war in the Pacific. George went to Okinawa during the WWII. This was the largest sea/land/air battle in history and the last battle fought in Pacific War. As a Sea Bee, he went on land to help the sailors building runways for the US planes to land. George was honorably discharged from the Navy in l946 with a Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.

After his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri. It was during this time, that George met the love of his life, Billie Dale Sloan. Billie Dale was attending Stephens College in the same town. They met and married after Billie Dale graduated from Stephens. The young couple moved to Monahans, Texas where George went to work in the Sloan’s grocery store as a butcher. George and Billie Dale had four children while living in Monahans and suffered a devastating event early in their marriage. Their first born son died in a tragic accident when he was only four years old. This event could have been the end of their marriage, but the young couple pulled together and had another two children. In the late 70’s, George moved his family to Tyler, Texas where he spent the rest of his life.

George loved life. He had an incredible work ethic and worked up until he was 69 years old. He lived life to the fullest – dancing three times a week in Tyler, Texas. His dance partners were much younger than he was and would often drop by his house to pick him up. He was an avid traveler – many times going by himself to England and Spain. He went to Greece several times and got to see where his Father and Mother grew up. Until a few months ago, he lived independently in his own home in Whitehouse, Texas and was able to drive himself to Dallas to visit his family. In 2014, a very special event occurred in the Regas Family. George’s son, Sloan, had the first grandchild in his immediate family. Her name is Madeline Sloan Regas and she was the apple of his eye.

He will be remembered by many people whose lives he touched for the colorful soul he was. He will be greatly missed by his children; Dena Regas McNeill (Tom) Theo Regas (Andy) and Sloan Regas (Chanda) and of course his sweet granddaughter, Madeline. We find great solace in knowing he is now joined with his wife, Billie Dale and his first born, Ted.

As most of you know, George and the Regas Family, are animal lovers. In lieu of flowers, he requested that donations be made to the SPCA of East Texas - [email protected]. His memorial service is on October 31, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church – 201 South Carolina St, Troup, Texas. There will be a reception following the service at 301 Robinwood, Whitehouse, Texas.