George Peter Pappas

East Lansing

Having lived a full and eventful life, and with his beloved wife by his side, George passed away

on July 11, 2011. In addition to his dance moves and ability to make conversation with

everyone with whom he crossed paths, George will be remembered as a World War II pilot,

patent attorney, Colonel and most of all husband, father and Papou (grandfather). We will miss

him.

George was born in 1924 to Greek immigrant parents in South Bend, Indiana. An only child,

George early on developed a capacity to charm friends and strangers alike. He loved parties

and people and, with his “gang” of close friends – also sons of Greek immigrants – George spent

his time flirting with the girls in his class and playing pranks on unsuspecting students and

teachers. In high school he played varsity basketball for legendary coach John Wooden, though

George would be the first to admit that he would never be known for his athletics.

His carefree life changed dramatically when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in his senior

year. George enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was appointed an Aviation Cadet. In June

1944, after receiving pilot certification and earning a commission as a second Lieutenant,

George left for India. While in country he flew a total of 267 combat missions piloting the C-47

into the high mountains and deep gorges of the Himalaya Mountains between north Burma and

west China in order to carry vital supplies and troops to the Allies’ forward position. Through

this service as a “Hump Pilot” George was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak

leaf clusters, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Asiatic Pacific Medal with one

battle star.

Having completed his tour of duty, George returned to Indiana and enrolled at Purdue, earning

a degree in mechanical engineering. He continued to Indiana Law School and after graduation

was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He worked as a Legal Officer for the

duration of his service.

In 1953, at a church dance in South Bend, Indiana, he met Ann Korbakis, another only child and

recent MSU graduate from Lansing. After a courtship, they married on June 19, 1955 and had

just celebrated their 56th anniversary when George was called to the Lord. She was the love of

his life.

Following their marriage, George moved to Lansing and became a name partner in the patent

law firm of Miller, Morriss and Pappas. He represented clients both nationally and

internationally until his retirement in the mid-90’s.

George never lost his love for the military, staying in the Air Force Reserve and retiring, after 43

years of active and reserve service, with the rank of Colonel. For a number of years he served

as a Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy. Through George’s efforts, several local young

men obtained commissions to the Academy and for this service George received the Armed

Forces Reserve Medal.

Crowned the “Jitterbug King” during the war by his fellow airmen, George would be seen

dancing at parties and weddings. His passion for dance was obvious to everyone who saw him

leap to his feet whenever the opportunity manifested itself. To the very end, George loved to

tap his foot to the sounds of Glen Miller.

Travel was another of George’s passions; particularly traveling “Space A(vailable)” on military

transport planes. Memorably, Ann and George traveled (commercially) with a group of Hump

Pilots to Asia twice, first in 1985 as guests of the Taiwanese government, and again in 1995 as

guests of the government of the People’s Republic of China, both in appreciation for service

during WWII. During the first trip, the Taiwanese Air Force awarded him Chinese Pilot Wings.

George cherished his Greek heritage and traveled to Greece frequently, most recently enjoying

months at a time with Ann in their condo overlooking the sea. During one memorable trip in

1962, George and Ann adopted their daughter, Callie.

George is survived by his beloved wife Ann, his daughter and son-in-law Callie and John Winner

and his treasured granddaughter Athanasia.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 18th at Holy Trinity Greek

Orthodox Church, 1701 E Saginaw St, Lansing, MI 48912, with interment to follow in Evergreen

Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes,

East Lansing Chapel from 6-8 pm on Sunday, July 17th, where a Trisagion will be held at

7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek

Orthodox Church Memorial Fund or Home for Our Troops, 6 Main St, Taunton, MA 02780 or

or at www.homeforourtroops.org, in memory of George Pappas.

On line condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com.