George J. Kostas

1919-2016

Our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on the 16th of December 2016, in his home surrounded by family. His devotion to family, community and country will always be remembered. He was a most remarkable, productive man, a forward-thinking visionary who applied thoughtful analysis, wisdom, and dedication to his diverse business and philanthropic interests.

Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1919, George spent his youth in Greece. At age 14, he returned to America unable to speak English, yet determined to attend college. He graduated from Northeastern University (Boston) in 1943 (BS, Chemical Engineering), and received an MBA from Columbia University in 1968 and an Honorary Doctorate in Sciences from Northeastern in 2007. Commissioned by the Navy after college, George moved to Baytown, Texas to pioneer the design and operation of the first synthetic rubber tire production plant during WWII, when the Allies’ natural rubber supply was cut off. After 14 years at General Tire and Rubber, he managed the Organometallics Department at Continental Oil Co (now CONOCO) for 15 years. Retiring in 1972, George founded Techno-Economic Services Company where for 45 years he pursued his entrepreneurial visions in business, real estate, and philanthropies, and patented a corrosion-resistant zinc coating.

George was forever grateful for America and its opportunities. He strived his best to “give back” and to leave the world a better place. He focused his attention on religious institutions and nanotechnology innovations to advance science, manufacturing, medical technologies, education, and homeland security. His philanthropic endeavors include Methodist Hospital (Research Center for Cardiovascular Nanomedicine), Northeastern University (Research Institute for Homeland Security; and Nanoscale Technology and Manufacturing Research Center); St George Chapel at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church; and St. Basil Orthodox Church (Educational Center).

The love and joy of his life, however, was his wife Angelina (Lea), whom he and their 4 daughters simply adored. Lea inspired George throughout 61 years of marriage and predeceased him in 2013. Together they instilled in their daughters the value of a good education and George continued his own lifelong pursuit of self-education, often researching and studying til the wee hours of the morning. As recently as several weeks before his death, he could be seen working with his decades-old sliderule, always insisting it was faster than a calculator, and in his expert hands, it was.

George never missed the opportunity to mentor those of all ages, encouraging their pursuit of education and excellence. He also enjoyed longtime relationships with his poker buddies with their legendary poker games that spanned decades.

It is the hope of the family that those touched by George’s legacy will be inspired by the ideals of faith, education, research and innovation for the betterment of America and mankind.

George is survived by daughters Ann Davis (husband Bart), Georgia Nichols (husband Larry), Pam Walker (husband Tim), Cynthia Kostas; granddaughter Stephanie Davis, M.D. (husband Deepak Acharya, M.D.); grandson Dr. George Davis (wife Joana, son Vasco), brother and sister-in-law Nick and Ruth Peet and sister-in-law Kim Peet, and many nieces and nephews.

The family expresses their deep gratitude for the loving care of home caregivers Martha, Karen, Juanita, Tomasa, Margy, Mary, Monica and Elizabeth; his long-term office manager Helena, and beloved physicians Dr. Robert Jackson and Dr. Guillermo Torre.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 20th of December 2016, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Trisagion Prayers are to commence at six o’clock.

The funeral service is to be conducted at half-past ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 21st of December 2016, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston, where the Cathedral Clergy are to officiate.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Barton Davis, Larry Nichols, Stephanie Davis, M.D., Dr. George Davis, Steven Kalpaxis, Gregory Ploussios, Dr. David Luzzi, and Ted Snyder.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Walker, Nick Peet, James Kalpaxis, M.D., Andrew Constantinou, Harris Pappas, Marko Dasigenis.

Interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

Immediately following the interment, all are invited to join the family for a Makaria Luncheon, to be held in the S.P. Martel Hall of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, please consider the Foundation for Hellenic College Holy Cross (13939 Northwest Frwy, Houston, TX 77040) or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Senior Citizens Fund or The Methodist Hospital Geo & Angelina Kostas Research Center for Cardiovascular Nanomedicine Fund or the charity of one’s choice.