Petros Vasilios Kartos

Petros Vasilios Kartos, aged 66, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on September 9, 2026 in Athens, Greece surrounded by family. He was born on December 9, 1959 in Larisa, Greece to his parents, Vasili and Areti Kartos.

Petros immigrated to America in the 1980s, with next to nothing and not a great deal of exposure to the English language. Despite all obstacles he faced, he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1986. Two years later, in 1988, Petros and Kiki were married at the Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham.

Petros lived a life anchored in faith, determination, and kindness. He was a devoted member of the Greek Orthodox church in Birmingham. He was known to his Birmingham community through his career accolades and the successful business he had built with Kiki. Mostly, Petros was known for his constant laughter, his seemingly permanent smile, and the way he was able to light up every room that he entered. There wasn’t a person on this Earth who didn’t adore Petros within minutes of meeting him.

He is survived by his wife, Kiki Kartos; their three children, Nancy Vasili and Angelo Kartos; his sisters, Athina Bougeja and Efi Samartzi and their husbands George Bougeja and Dimitris Samartzi; his nieces and nephews, Antonis Bougeja, Valina Bougeja Vickers, Chad Vickers, Liam Vickers, Elena Samartzi, and Areti Samartzi; his mother-in-law, Nancy Drakos; and numerous members of his extended family.

Petros was preceded by death by his parents, Vasili and Areti Kartos, and his father-in-law, Angelo Drakos.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham, with the visitation from 10-11 a.m. on the same day at the church. The burial service will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama. The makaria will be held at Greystone Golf & Country Club later that afternoon.

Petros will leave behind a legacy that his family will carry forward: Prioritize your faith, family, and golf swing (in that order).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral. To give online, https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1705471, or mail gifts to Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral, 307 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233.