John Tom Keriotis, II, 56, passed from his life on earth on Father’s day, Sunday June 16, 2019 after a difficult and courageous seven month battle with cancer. He faced seemingly devastating circumstances with courage, and subtle humor which had always sustained him. When he died, he was in his Vestavia Hills, Alabama home, surrounded by loving family.
John’s life can be understood in the context of three themes: he was a self-taught builder, a maker of things beautiful and useful; he had an adventurous spirit that brought fun and excitement to his profession as well as his personal life.
Born August 23, 1962 to parents John Tom and Shirley (Kremer) Keriotis. John was the youngest and only boy among four siblings. He graduated from Central Township High School (Central, PA) in 1982, where he was inducted to the National Honor Society and was a member of the football team.
The next step for John, began with curiosity about a career in a health profession. This prompted a big adventurous leap to the Deep South; The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with double major in Mathematics/Natural Science in spring 1986. John embraced southern culture and continued his education at UAB, earning the advanced degree conferring the title Doctor John T. Keriotis, Doctor of Optometry (OD) on June 3, 1990.
While in Birmingham, he met the love of his life and began a romantic 8 year long distance relationship with Annie, before getting married in 1994. In May, they celebrated 25 years of wonderful life together with plans to be partners for life into their retirement years.
Their careers led them to live in VA and SC as Annie completed her obligations with the United States Navy and medical residency/fellowship. They eventually returned back to Birmingham in 2000 with hopes of finally settling down.
John practiced optometry as a corporate employee at four companies to facilitate easy employment transitions. It took a few years, but eventually John was able to embark on a personal, entrepreneurial adventure. He opened a private solo practice in Vestavia. He built it from the floor up, all by himself. He built: beautiful mahogany veneered eyeglass frame displays with self-taught woodworking skills; reception desks; computer networks, vendor contracts, and countless other important things. Crucially, he built relationships with patients who trusted him with caring for their vision.
John was a humble man, a wonderful husband to Annie and devoted, loving father to Nicholas and Isabelle. What he cherished most was family time together as he attended and participated in all his children’s school and church functions and activities. He was so giving of his time and talent as his hobbies of woodworking and grilling barbeques were often dearly requested and enjoyed by his family and closest friends. John lived a full life and ensured memorable and quality time were spent with his family even as he battled thru his cancer.
His ODWA (Doctors of Optometry with an Attitude) friends knew him best for with his quick wit and great sense of humor. They loved him for his kind and gentle personality as they shared such a strong bond of love and friendship.
Ultimately, John built a life well spent. He built a family worthy of careful examination. If you engage in that examination, you will conclude that it was a life and a family worthy of admiration, even emulation.
Dr. John Keriotis, is survived by his amazing wife, Dr. Annie Keriotis, his two wonderful children, Nicholas A. Keriotis and Isabelle G. Keriotis. He is also survived by his mother, Ms. Shirley Kremer and three sisters; Kathy Weaver (Rod); Michelle Fattore (John); and Kim Worsley (Tommy). John was preceded in death by his father, John Tom Keriotis.
Funeral arrangements for Dr. Keriotis are as follows: A Visitation at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor, RD, Homewood, Alabama, 35209, Friday, Jun 21, 2019, 5:00-7:00 PM. You may contact the Chapel at 205-879-3401. Funeral Mass will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, Jun 22, 2019, at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley RD (HWY 119), Birmingham, AL 35242. A late lunch for attendees will be provided following mass, at the Keriotis’ house.
John, all of your family and friends will miss you dearly. You will be always be in our hearts.
Our prayer is that your soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, may rest in peace, Amen.
Memorials in memory of Dr. Keriotis may be made at https://www.curemeso.org/donate/tribute-pages/
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