Dr. John Constantine Klemes

Dr. John C. Klemes, D.M.D. fell asleep in the Lord on November 11, 2023. John was born in Hartford Connecticut on April 21, 1931. John was the son of the late Constantine and Pelagia (Politis) Klemes. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, the love of his life for 67 years, his son Dean, and his siblings, Nicholas, James, and Penelope.

John graduated from the University of Connecticut and then Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine. He was a Captain in the US Army, serving his country in the dental corp. While he was a proud veteran and dentist, he was devoted to Mary, his family, his extended family, and his Greek Orthodox Church. His deep faith and love for people drove him to participate in several dental missions. This began with treatment for individuals recovering from alcohol and drug addiction for the Salvation Army, both at their facility and in their family’s dental practice. He continued his passion by providing dental treatment for orphaned and abandoned children at the Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala where he formed lifelong relationships. Included in his dental missions were trips to Mexico and Medjugorie, Croatia where he treated various religious denominations shortly after the war. He deeply believed that our time in life should be spent helping people.

He was actively involved in many ministries of the Greek Orthodox Church; he loved to welcome and greet people who were visiting “his” Church, whether it was St. George in Hartford Connecticut, St Katherine’s in Naples Florida or Holy Trinity in Raleigh North Carolina. He and Mary were instrumental in building campaigns in Hartford and Naples.

John was devoted to improving patient care within his family’s dental practice. He was an innovator and taught dentistry at the University of Connecticut Dental School. He was part of a group of dentists that improved dental care through techniques associated with dental implants as well at transplanting teeth.

John was most proud of his family. He will be missed by his daughter Lisa, his son Jim, and daughter-in-law Teresa (Terezis), and his grandchildren Johnny, Kyra and Eirini. He often spoke about seeing Mary, Dean, his parents, along with his extended family again in heaven.

John’s love and dedication to his wife Mary was inspirational, only surpassed by his love of the Greek Orthodox Church. We will miss, love, and remember him in countless ways.

While John leaves his life among us, we know he will always continue to be part of our lives. May his Memory be Eternal.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with Trisagion prayer service at 6:00pm, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The graveside will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox, Building Fund, 5000 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC 27612 or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.