Thomas (Anastasios) C. Barbas was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 25, 1931 to immigrant parents, Christos and Marigoula Barbas. As a young teenager, his family moved to Seattle, WA where his father established the Tug Tavern on the Seattle waterfront. The family lived on Queen Anne hill, and Tom attended West Queen Anne Elementary and Queen Anne High School. It was his period of becoming an American, playing baseball and football, and participating in other activities.
In 1949 at 17 years old, with some urging from patriotic peers, Tom sought to enlist in the Marine Corp Reserves. Before he graduated from high school, the Korean War began, and Tom was activated in July of 1950. Due to his completion at a Marine Training Summer Camp, he qualified for immediate overseas duty. Training was brief at Camp Pendleton and he was aboard a ship to Japan by September 1, 1950. Tom's first assignment was a Greek interpreter for Greek troops that were initially expected to join the allied forces.
Tom's unit closely followed the invasion of Inchon, Korea in September of 1950. His unit proceeded to the front lines to prepare for the taking of Seoul, South Korea. After surviving invasions, they entered back to the Harbor that was heavily planted with explosive mines and his ship was put on back and forth (yo-yo) maneuvers for 14 days with only rice and a few C-rations to eat. Tom swore that if he survived the war, he would never eat rice again. And he didn't.
The Company moved north into the North Korean mountains surrounding a place called the Chosin Reservoir. The weather temperature was 20-30 degrees below zero freezing everything, including their weapons. Tom was wounded after three days of fighting and was flown out of Korea to the Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, where he spent four months in recovery before returning to the USA. The battle of the Chosin Reservoir was one of the most iconic battles in the history of warfare.
Recovered and back in the states, Tom served as a Drill Instructor and performed guard duty assignments at Camp Pendleton. He was discharged in 1952 and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal along with numerous combat and service ribbons. He was a proud member of the Chosin Few, Dog 7, and other Marine organizations.
In June of 1961, Tom met Maria Raptis at a Greek Wedding (of course) and were later married in November of 1963. Tom began working in real estate offices, primarily with residential properties in King County, north of Seattle. He later joined the firm of West and Wheeler working in and learning the commercial field. In 1973 he was recruited to start Grubb and Ellis, a California firm expanding to Seattle. Tom opened his own brokerage company (Thomas Commercial Brokerage), where he conducted retail commercial sales and property management from 1984 until he retired in 2006.
Tom Barbas was one of the greats. A genuine war hero, a loving husband, father, papou, mentor, volunteer, and so much more. He was proud of his Greek heritage and was actively involved in St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church having served as Parish Council Treasurer. His love and dedication to his Greek heritage and Greek Orthodox community continues through his children and grandchildren. Tom had an infectious smile and a caring heart that made everyone in his presence feel welcome. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Preceded in death by his parents, Christos and Marigoula Barbas, and his brother-in-law Bob Heuer. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maria Barbas; their three daughters, Constantina Velaoras (Loui), Anastasia Geving (Tyler), and Christa Barbas; grandchildren, Rena and Georgia Velaoras and Thomas and Demetri Geving. He is also survived by his sisters Helen Heuer and Demetra Jacobsen (Peter) along with several cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members all of whom he loved greatly. A long life, well lived. Memory Eternal.
Viewing will be open to the public on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 1111 Aurora Ave. N. Seattle, WA.
Funeral services will be private. A livestream of the church service will be available on the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Facebook page and YouTube link.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Dance Group, 2100 Boyer Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112 or Ionian Village Camp, 8 E 79th St., New York, NY 10075.
A life to celebrate ~ Family to cherish ~ A legacy that lives on
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