Demetrios "Jimmy" Theodore Stappas

Demetrios “Jimmy” Theodore Stappas fell asleep in the Lord on November 1, 2026. Jimmy was a man with humble beginnings. Born December 6, 1932, he grew up in the small village of Sykea in the southern part of Greece, in the southern most part of the Peloponnese in the municipality of Monemvasia, in the Laconian region south of Sparta. He grew up there during World War II followed by the Greek Civil War; He and his family miraculously survived both. Jimmy came to the United States in 1952 to attend college and worked for his uncle who had restaurants in Birmingham. He fell in love with this country and with his wife, paused his educational pursuits, entered the military, served his adopted country, finished his education at the University of Alabama and became a citizen of the United States in 1961.

He took a job soon afterward in Atlanta and worked his career as an electrical engineering manager. He retired from AT&T in the mid-1990s.

Jimmy was an active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, the Laconian Society and AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association). He participated in many events through the church and both organizations. He served his church in his younger adult years as a Parish Council member and for many years took time off from work to volunteer at the Atlanta Greek Festival. He cooked for the festival and volunteered in the Beer and Wine tent. When he retired from AT&T, he enjoyed cooking for family. He is remembered by his grandsons for making delicious Greek-style spaghetti and Avgolemeno (egg-lemon) soup. He will also be remembered for being a devoted Alabama fan and for supporting the University of Alabama long after his graduation, and also for supporting his grandsons in their athletic endeavors.

Jimmy was a friend to many and in his retirement years he often helped out at friends’ restaurants when they needed an extra hand or if they were on vacation. He was a man of honor who always tried to do “the right thing” and expected others to do the same. He took great care of his beloved wife, Anna, during her sickness. He was a wonderful father and grandfather (papou.) He was a patriotic American but never forgot where he came from, loved his mother country and was proud of his Greek heritage. He would not let his children or grandchildren forget his humble beginnings nor his family’s struggles during the World War. He would repeatedly entertain them with stories from those times.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Eugenia; his beloved wife Anna Likis Stappas; and his oldest son Theodore “Terry” Stappas. He is survived by his daughter Gina Stappas Gassert (Mark); his son Angelo Stappas; his grandchildren Jacob Demetrios Gassert (Alexis) and Theodore “Teddy” Alexander Gassert; his great grandchildren Evyenia Kay and James William; all of the metro Atlanta area. He is also survived by his brother Panayiotis Stappas (Kiki) of Athens Greece; and several nieces and nephews in Greece; as well as in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, Al.

Visitation will be Sunday November 8, 2026, from 2-4 PM at Patterson Funeral Home Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. Funeral Services will be Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, followed by internment at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt. Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Jimmy’s memory may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral or the AHEPA Educational Fund Inc. Checks can be made out to the Cathedral and mailed to the Cathedral address in Jimmy Stappas’ memory. Checks for the AHEPA Educational Fund can be mailed to William Kantsios, 1735 Peachtree St. NE, Unit 303, Atlanta GA 30309, in memory of Jimmy Stappas.

The Stappas family would like to recognize the following that will serve as pallbearers;

Jacob Gassert

Theodore Gassert

Platon Constantinides

Frank Kostopoulos

James Kostopoulos

Jerod Spetseris