John Pete Caporal

John Pete Caporal, 88, died peacefully surrounded by his family in New York City on May 21, 2014. He was born in Texarkana, AR on March 11, 1926 to Peter John and Matina Caporal. At the age of 3, John’s family settled in the Capitol Hill section of Oklahoma City. After graduating from Central High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served honorably on the USS Appalachian as an Aerographer’s mate in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Upon returning from the war, John attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1949. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1949 and received his Real Estate Broker’s license in 1952. In January 1959, John married Aretee Gretsas in New York City and returned to Oklahoma City to raise his family. He served as Assistant County Attorney under James W. “Bill” Berry in 1960. For over 60 years, John practiced law and was active in Real Estate in the Oklahoma City area, including the development of property and construction of buildings. His love for the practice of law inspired others to take up the profession, and John greatly enjoyed mentoring young attorneys. He was a lifelong member, and former president of the board, of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where John advocated for our youth. He had a tremendous passion for classic cars, enjoyed fishing and bird hunting, and was known to throw a great party. John was a 61-year member of both the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, where he obtained the rank of 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and the Shriners International, whereJohn was a former secretary of the Eagle Patrol. Most recently he moved to New York City, to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law. John is survived by his wife of 55 years Aretee Caporal, son Peter Caporal, daughter Georgeann Caporal Papadakos, son-in-law George Papadakos, and sisters Helen Wolfe and Mary Blanton. He is preceded in death by his parents, baby daughter Matina, sister Beatrice Caporal and brothers-in-law Hal H. Wolfe and D.J. “Bus” Blanton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church or to Parkinson’s Disease research at http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/johnpetecaporal or at National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018. Trisagion Prayers will be at 7:00 PM, Monday May 26, Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, 6600 Broadway Extension. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday May 27, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2101 Northwest 145th Street, with interment following in Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 Northwest Grand Blvd. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.