Christopher (Chris) J. Karpakis

Our beloved son, brother, cousin and nephew, Christopher (Chris) J. Karpakis, passed away peacefully at his home on September 18, 2023, at the age of 64.

He was born October 28, 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to first generation and immigrant Greek parents, John C. Karpakis and Pat Maroudas Karpakis.  Chris graduated from Cyprus High School and Utah Technical College with degrees in Accounting and Business Management. He retired from Kennecott as a maintenance technician and devoted the remainder of his life to caring for his parents and yiayia (grandmother), cherishing his extended family and in praising his Savior, inspiring all of those around him.   

First and foremost, Chris will be remembered for his unwavering strong faith which he professed daily and continuously.  There was no one more important in his life than his Creator, Messiah and Savior (referred to by Chris as YaHuWah; the original Hebrew name for Jesus).  He claimed YaHuWah was his everything and all you needed in your life was Him.  He was not only an authority on scripture, but he helped others connect to their own faith as a leading example of how he lived his life.  Everyone was drawn to his always positive attitude, even when dealing with life’s challenges and his declining health.  Chris was loved by all who knew him. He honestly never had a bad day.  When asked how he was doing, he always responded: “Fantastic,” even if you knew he was struggling.  You couldn’t help feeling the same way around Chris.  Children were drawn to him in a very special and playful way, likely due to their innocence and Chris’ pure and humble spirit.  He had time for anyone and regularly prayed for people, even those he didn’t know.  He loved to laugh, tell jokes and tease (especially his brother) and as such, he was fun to be with and truly a people person. 

A large life purpose for Chris was showing and teaching others, including his health care providers, how to live with and manage the disease called cancer (which he carried like a badge of honor).  The disease never defined who he was, got him down or impacted his positive attitude.  He even lifted his arms praising his Creator and singing hallelujah as he was being transported to ICU, helping lessen the gravity of the situation.   Chris miraculously defied the negative effects of cancer through his strong faith, positive attitude and his own diligent efforts researching and implementing his own alternative treatment plans. He lived much longer than anyone expected.  Chris always believed he was in a win/win situation, either he would be called home to be with his Creator (where he always wanted to be) or he would be healed.  Either scenario was a win for Chris and demonstrated a great and joyful way to live life.  He helped his care providers become even better providers (as many of them stated) and gave them a better perspective on life.   His regular answer to his providers when asked what more they could do for him was “Be Happy.”  He gave much more than what he received.  Chris also loved his dog Mitsi who was a saint in his eyes, who could do no wrong and was always by his side. 

Chris is survived by his mother Pat and brother George (Scarlet).  He is also survived by cousins, Christine (Cory) Mills, Chuck (Goldie) Karpakis, James (Candace) Karpakis, Cory Karpakis, Kelli Karpakis, Rita (Spiro) Demas, George Maroudas, Rita (John) Litsas, Jim (Diane) Maroudas and Dino (Eleni) Maroudas.  Also survived by aunts Lorlee Karpakis and Voula Maroudas and uncle Jim Maroudas.   Chris was preceded in death by his father John, grandparents Chris and Katherine Karpakis, Margarita Maroudas, uncles Nick Karpakis, Pete Karpakis and George Maroudas, and aunts Georgia Karpakis, Athena and Mary Maroudas, and cousins Chris Karpakis, Kathy Karpakis and Margo Maroudas.

The family would like to thank his many caregivers, including Dr. Glynn Gilcrease, Dr. John Smith, Dr. Roy Gandolfi, Registered Nurse Shauna Bennee, Family Nurse Practitioner Martha Bray, and his many nurses and aids with Huntsman at Home.  This health care team was second to none.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 25^th, 11:00 am at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, 9201 S 1300 E, Sandy, UT 84094.  A viewing will be held for one hour prior to the funeral.  Following Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, the traditional Makaria, “Memorial Meal” will be held at The Other Place Restaurant, 469 E 300 S.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to israel365charity.com (ref. jckarpakis@msn.com), to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church or to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL