George Isaac Kentros

As a child, George Kentros ran around the seaside village of Limassol on the island of Cyprus speaking Greek and Turkish. He could have never known that 70 years later, he would be an artist in Austin, Texas speaking a language he had never heard before.

During World War II, his parents, Chrystalla and Savas, saved enough money from Savas’ taxi business to send him to America for one year of college. At age 17, he left his family for a week-long transatlantic trip to America. During college he worked and saved enough to continue his education. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army where he earned his U.S. citizenship during the Korean war.

George had a life-long love of soccer. He played for Des Moines’ only soccer club and traveled throughout the midwest to play other cities’ teams.

George worked as a chemist at the Armstrong Tire Company, where he developed a fond interest in his new secretary Eloise, who later became his wife and mother of their three children, Kristi, Bruce and Scott.

After working as the Chief Chemist at Armstrong, George moved to Texarkana, TX and served as the chemist at Red River Army Depot, and was awarded the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award, awarded by the Vice President.

After retirement George and Eloise made tent-camping trips across the U.S. every year and backpacking trips across Europe until Eloise’s death in 2003.

George moved to Austin Texas where he has become a pillar of the community at the Renaissance Senior Living Center. He found a new calling as a caregiver and listener to the many other residents who have suffered loss and physical ailments.

Oil painting was an early hobby and George painted landscapes and architecture scenes until the last few weeks of his life.

George was the oldest son of Chrystalla and Savas Kentros. He is survived by his sister Stavroulla Bassili in Melbourne, Australia. His children are Kristi Walston, Bruce Kentros and Scott Kentros. His grandsons are Travis, Eric, and Taylor Walston, Nicolas, Noah, and Benjamin Kentros; and three great grandchildren.