The life of Father James Bogdan is the story of a first generation Greek American devoted to his Orthodox Christian faith, to learning and teaching, and to family and community. Father Demetrios (James) Apostolos Bogdan was born to Apostolos (Paul) and Mary Bogdan on December 17, 1932 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the first of two children. His sister Ann Baarda was born five years later. Father Jim’s heritage is one that encapsulated history. His father, Paul, came from a Greek village in Sofia, Bulgaria, coming to America after a population exchange. His mother, Mary along with all the Greeks in the Pontian area of northern Turkey, were forced into exile by the Ottoman Turks in 1917. Mary and family members survived a march on foot from their home in Ordou on the Black Sea through the mountains in Turkey for 2 years. Years later she was reunited with family in her new home, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Having parents who both endured exile, separation from family, loss of their homes, and their entire way of life, left an imprint on Fr. Jim. His life and his family’s life were centered around the Greek Orthodox Church, and as with many immigrant families, they worked hard to build the faith and community they had lost in their homeland. Fr. Jim lived for community his entire life. Fr. Jim received his Bachelors Degree in 1952 and Masters in 1956 from the University of Michigan. While working on his Master’s degree in Byzantine Studies, he attended Holy Cross School of Theology doing research for his thesis. In 1958, Fr. Jim continued work on his doctorate in Byzantine Studies at Michigan State University. He married his bride Joan in 1958 and they had 4 children. In 1959 he joined Grand Rapids Community College to teach in the History Department where he became Divisional Chairman of Social Sciences. In his early years, Fr. Jim served as chanter in the church. The Grand Rapids community has always had parishioners with exceptional musical talent, and an understanding that Byzantine Hymns, beautifully sung can elevate the soul. Fr. Jim’s love of chanting continued through his last days, where on several occasions he chanted through the night from his hospital bed only stopping briefly at 4am, when we threatened to wake up Yiayia. In January 1975, Fr. Jim was ordained a Deacon. Eleven years later under the Archdiocesan “Priests with a Profession” program, he was ordained a Priest on St. Thomas Sunday, April 29, 1984, to his lifelong parish of Holy Trinity Grand Rapids. Fr. Jim retired from Holy Trinity in September of 2009, after 36 years of service.
Fr. Jim is survived by his wife Presbytera Joanie, married for 59 years, his children Despina and George Koulianos, grandchildren, Theofilos and Ana Maria, Paul and Renee Bogdan, grandchildren, Nicole (Ryan) Bentley, Christopher Bogdan, Christie Carr and fiancé Danny Ryan, grandson Robert Isaac, George and Laura Bogdan, grandson Dimitri and his sister, Ann Baarda and her three children Mea (Paul) Danigelis, Jon (Michelle) Baarda and Ellissa(Jeff) Lauer and many loving nieces and nephews. Special cousins Johnny and Alexia and Sofia Kanterakis, Spiro and Paulette Karatsinides, his special brother priest Fr. Elias and Presbytera Marion Mitchell, and his friend and caregiver for the last 18 months of his life, Michael Green. Special gratitude to his medical team in Mobile, Koumbara Dr. Desi Soter-Pearsall and Dr. Hercules Panayiotou. We have lovely memories of last summer at the Bethlehem Intergenerational Center of Grand Rapids serving preschool children along with Alzheimer’s patients. Dad loved his days with the children and staff. His winter home since retirement was Mobile, Alabama, where he lived right around the corner from Despina and George. Oh, how we will miss the daily visits for coffee. Many thanks to the community of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Mobile, Dad’s home away from home where they always welcomed him with open arms. In 2009 at his retirement dinner, Father Jim spoke saying, “What have I done with that which You have given me?” Father Jim, you have served well in your 85 years, as a husband, father, Papou, teacher, chanter, deacon and priest. “Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of Your Lord.” Matthew 25:21 AXIOS!
Divine Liturgy will take place Friday, May 25, 2018 at 8:45am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Visitation at 10 till 11am. The Funeral Service will begin at 11am.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, Saint Basil Academy, 79 Saint Basil Road, Garrison, NY 10524, or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 50 South Ann Street, Mobile, AL 36604.
