Chris T. Papahronis

Chris Trifon Papahronis fell asleep unto the Lord on July 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. He was born September 30, 1931, in Oklahoma City to Greek immigrants Trifon and Froso Papahronis. In 1959, he married his wife of 51 memorable years, Helen Mirras in St. Louis and moved back to Oklahoma City where they later co-founded and ran their own business, Metro Supply Company.

He was a devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where he taught Sunday School for 49 years, while also serving as coach for the youth teams and ran the entertainment and games during the Church’s holiday parties. In 2009, his work for the church was officially recognized, as he was awarded The Medal of Saint Paul, the highest honor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

During his life, he also found time to be a baseball and softball umpire, and in his late 40’s, he became an avid runner, entering various 10k runs across the state of Oklahoma. He completed three Dallas White Rock Marathons in his upper 50’s. He also ran a segment carrying the Olympic torch as part of the torch relay team for the 1989 Olympic Festival held in Oklahoma City.

In addition to being a Sunday School teacher, he touched many lives over multiple generations by performing as a clown at birthday parties, coaching his daughter and sons in softball, basketball and baseball, acting as Scoutmaster for his sons’ Cub Scout Packs, and substitute teaching after his retirement. He will be forever remembered for his priceless sayings, songs, and magic tricks. He lived his life the very same way as his most popular saying, “It ain’t what you got. It’s what you do with what you got.”

He is preceded in death by both parents and wife, Helen. Survivors include brothers Basil and Harris Papahronis, daughter Christie Akins and husband Scot, son Frank Papahronis and wife Nadine, son Pete Papahronis and wife Konstantina, and his biggest joys, his five grandchildren, Matthew and wife Meaghan, Michael and wife Carley, Toni, Elle, and Ria, step-grandchildren Jennifer and Jason, and two great-grandchildren, Reese and Parker, plus a multitude of extended family members and friends, whom he adored.

Trisagion/Memorial service will be held in Oklahoma City at 7:00pm Thursday, August 8 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper, 6600 Broadway Extension and the funeral service will take place at 10:30am Friday, August 9 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2101 NW 145th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73134, followed by the procession and interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chris’ name to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

May his memory be eternal.