Dr. Nicholas George Gionis

Dr. Nicholas Gionis, Lt. Colonel, retired, U.S. Air Force, passed away on October 13, 2017 in Houston, Texas while surrounded by his family. Nick was born in Jacksonville, FL., on July 4, 1934. His parents, George and Callie Gionis, preceded him in death. He attended elementary, middle and high school in Jacksonville and attended the University of Florida for one year when he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He was graduated with Distinction in June 1957, and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His first assignment was in Biloxi, Mississippi where he attended Airborne Electronics school and where he met and married Argie Clikas of Mobile, AL. This was followed by Officer in Charge of electronics systems at Air Force bases In France and Germany. Other assignments included Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, the U.S. Air Force Academy as an instructor, and associate professor of mathematics, and in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war.

He was awarded the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal for his service in the war. He retired from the Air Force in 1977 and worked on space satellite systems at Aerojet in Azusa, CA, in the intelligence field of Autometric in Springfield, VA, and various other areas for Boeing Company. He retired from Boeing in 2010. During his final retirement, Nick became a math tutor to over twenty students for over four years in the Sugar Land and Missouri City areas.

Nick and Argie’s son, Kyle was born during his assignment at the Air Force Academy. Kyle, his wife Vanessa, and their son, Donovan Riley, survive him in Sugar Land, as does his sister, Anna Kazanas in Waco, TX, and numerous relatives around the USA.

Nick’s decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and various other commendations. He received an MS in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force of Technology, and a PhD in Operations Research from Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. He was a member of the Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi.

Nick was very proud of attending and graduating from the Naval Academy, and attended numerous class reunions. He enjoyed all of his jobs, especially tutoring math to middle and high school students. He was a proud American who loved and served his country honorably for his entire life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Houston Hospice at www.houstonhospice.org/donate.aspx