Aristedes "Artie" Paul Tropoli

Aristedes “Artie” Paul Tropoli died peacefully on the 25th of September 2026 surrounded by his adoring daughters. He was 87 years old in the self-professed “December of his years.” He was born at home in Kilgore, Texas on the 6th of December 1938, to Soula Fotenopulos Tropoli and Paul Aristedes Tropoli. Soon after, Artie and his family moved to Houston to join the growing Greek community. He was a product of the Houston Independent School District in its infancy, attending Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Sidney Lanier Junior High School, and Mirabeau B. Lamar High School. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1962 with a degree in business administration and a specialization in real estate brokerage.

Artie enjoyed a successful 70-year career as a real estate developer. Always in search of what he called "the deal that's real,” he built a life through hard work, instinct, and a genuine love of the business. He grew up in Montrose and spent much of his early career developing the neighborhood. He built his first apartment complex of 10 units on Dunlavy Street at just 21 years old. Never one to slow down or miss an opportunity to pass on his “art of building,” he continued to build into his 80s in partnership with his son-in-law, John.

But more than any deal he ever made, Artie's greatest source of pride was his family. He was the ultimate girl dad to his three daughters, and later, everyone's beloved “Papou.” He was known for always showing up and picking up the phone, which rang constantly with family and friends who knew he'd always answer. He carried his Greek heritage with pride throughout his life, passing on his love of Greece to his children and grandchildren.

Artie was a lifelong member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Order of AHEPA, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Artie loved living life and was a people person through and through. He was generous, loyal, inclusive, and endlessly social, known for offering a helping hand to anyone who needed one. He treasured his many friendships and the traditions built around them, from “breaking bread” at Biba’s, Avalon Diner and Café Lili to steak and pasta dinners with family and friends. He was quick with a joke and a one-liner, and he lived his life with humor, warmth, and without complaint, even through its hardest moments.

Artie was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Irene Tropoli. He is survived by his daughters, Katherine Tropoli Plumb and her husband John, Anne Tropoli Kahle and her husband Walker, and Alexandra “Allie” Tropoli Pappas and her husband H.D. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Mary Plumb, Jack Plumb, Harris Pappas, Kackie Plumb, Augie Kahle, Greg Pappas, Teddy Kahle, Andrew Pappas, Claiborne Kahle, and Mary Pappas. He is also survived by his children, Kristen Tropoli Harper and Peter Tropoli, and their families.

Our deepest gratitude goes to his caregivers during his final days, Jessica Wilkins and Tim Guzman and his team, for their kind and excellent care of our father.

A funeral service is to be conducted at 10:00 in the morning on Wednesday, the 7th of October, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston. The family will hold a private interment.

Honored to serve as casket bearers are Dimitri Demopulos, Jimmy Farb, Andrew Kaldis, and Dr. Michael Kaldis. Honorary casket bearers are Greg Letsos and Butch Singletary.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.