John Jerry Karavias, age 74, of Troy, Michigan, is at rest as of Wednesday, September 10, 2025. He died at UM Hospital in Ann Arbor. John was born in Detroit, Michigan to Martha Pete Karavias and Jerry Karavias on November 12, 1950. An intelligent man, John earned a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University and a Masters degree from Wayne State University. He dedicated his career as an engineer with the Tank Automotive Command in Warren, Michigan, helping support the US Army for 40 years before enjoying a well-earned retirement. John was a traveler and took trips all around Europe, often visiting family in Greece. He was a member of the Command Investment Club and active in a work golf league. John cared about the health of his community and the people within it. He generously donated his time as a driver for Meals On Wheels and helped bring both food, and a sense of connection, to those unable to leave their homes. John enjoyed sports but his favorite teams were the ones that his children and grandchildren played on. He would show up and support them all, often as the official scorekeeper. John touched many lives and all who knew him will carry him in their hearts forever.
John is survived by his wife, Karen Kraft; daughters Amalea (Gabe) Vega, Alaina (Dan) Vavrick, Andreana Karavias; grandchildren Caleb and Abigail Vega, Bennett, Evelyn, and Caroline Vavrick; sister DiAnne (Carl) Fuhrwerk; siblings-in-law Barbara (Lon †) Kenny, Janet Kraft, Helene Kraft (Don Spinks), John Kraft (Sara Wood-Kraft), Matthew (Debra) Kraft; and his many loving nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Martha Pete Karavias and brothers Leo Angelo Karavias and Jerry Pete Karavias; parents-in-law Max and Evelyn Kraft; brothers-in-law Paul Kraft and Lon Kenny.
A visitation for John will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326. A funeral service will be held the following day at Pixley Funeral Home on Monday, September 15, at 11:00 AM with guests arriving from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. John will be laid to rest at Germania Cemetery near Marlette, Michigan.
Donations in John's memory can be made to Meals On Wheels in Rochester/Auburn Hills (https://opccenter.org/meals-on-wheels/) and Troy (https://www.mealsonwheelsmi.org/) and in support of breast cancer research at UM Hospital Rogel Cancer Center (https://giving.umich.edu/um/make-a-gift#!michigan-medicine_rogel-cancer-center)
