Gus S. Vetas
July 4, 1924 - July 22, 2015
Our beloved husband, father, papou and friend passed away after enjoying 91 years. He was born on July 4th, 1924 the youngest of six children to Savvas and Ourania Kapogiannes Vitogiannes in Mantzagra Tripolis, Greece.
He came to the United States in July 1951. Married Melva Mihalopoulos on October 3, 1954 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Salt Lake City. He served four years in the Greek Army and was employed with Kennecott Copper Company for 31 years at the smelter and retired in 1985. After Gus retired he enjoyed spending time in his impeccable yard and garden, morning coffee with friends at Nordstrom, Little America and Einsteins.
Gus was an excellent cook. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. He was a generous and loving father and papou spoke daily with his granddaughters Marika, Evyenia and Yianna. Gus always had a special place in his heart for his granddaughters and they will forever be blessed by his memory and love.
Survived by wife Melva; daughter Kim (Steve) Pappas of Littleton, Colorado; son Steve Savva (Georgia) of Glenview, Illinois; granddaughters Marika (Dean) Christopher, Evyenia Pappas and Yianna Vetas; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by brothers Nicholas, Harry and Peter; sisters Marika Diamanti and Katena Davlantes.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 26th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, with the Trisagion beginning at 7:00 PM at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 West 300 South, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, July 27th also at the church. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City.
Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Online condolences may be offered at www.starksfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Metropolis of Denver, 4505 E. Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80246 or to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Papou, “We love you, miss you and will never forget you.” May his memory be eternal.
In Loving Memory
Dear Melva, and your Entire Families, and Friends, I of all people will miss my Gus, his humor and all the good times we spent at Lunch's, the doctors, and driving around Salt Lake City, seeing all the changes. He had a good marriage, two great children, that loved him unconditionally, along with with his Wife Melva, that insisted on never leaving his side. We all have just great memories of him, and now Gus can watch over all of us, still with his his Humor, and above all, watch his grand children that he loved so dearly. I know my husband and I shared so much with the Vetas Family for 15 years. God be with all of you during this time a sorrow.
Gary & Madeline Pappas Coleman
Murray, UT