Jim Papastamos

Jim Papastamos passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 7th after more than 90 years of a life defined by determination, self-reliance, devotion to his family, and a deep commitment to his Greek heritage. He leaves behind his wife Bessie; his four children; Nick Papastamos (Candi Hess), Peggy Lewis (Marvin Lewis), Angelo Papastamos, and Chrissy Robinson (Lovell Robinson); his seven grandchildren; Whitney Lewis-Fancher, Marcus Lewis, Jasmine Robinson, Tre’ Robinson, Lexi Papastamos, Sofi Papastamos, and Olivia Papastamos; his three great grandchildren; Grayson Fancher, Camden Fancher, and Collins Fancher. In addition to his beloved children and grandchildren, Jim leaves behind numerous nieces/nephews, and grandnieces/nephews in both Greece and Mexico.

Jim was born on July 27, 1935 in a small village Γαρδίκη (Gardiki) in Greece to Nicholas and Peggy Papastamos. He was the youngest of seven siblings. He came to the United States as a Greek immigrant in 1954 upon arriving in the USA, he lived with his Uncle Gus in Ely Nevada. With his strong will, dedication, and perseverance, Jim worked hard to learn the English language, and proudly graduated from White Pine High School in 1955. He then joined the US Army and was stationed in El Paso, Texas, where he met his future beautiful wife Hortensia Machado. When they got married in 1958, Hortensia changed her name to Bessie Papastamos to embrace his Greek heritage for the man she loved.

After completing his service with the US Army, he began a hard-working, dedicated career at the Kennecott Nevada mines in Ruth, and then later transferred to the Kennecott Utah Copper mine in Magna, Utah. He retired from Kennecott at the age of 50, but continued to work managing multiple rental properties in the Salt Lake area. Primarily self-taught, he wisely focused his investments on real estate and the stock market, and he always strived to save every penny he earned. Jim was passionate about sports. When he moved to the United States, he was very disappointed to find that no one played soccer, his favorite sport from his early childhood in Greece. Instead he took up table tennis, bowling, and tennis, which he played competitively for much of his life. In his ping pong circle, he was known for his self taught and unique backhand slam. It was very impressive! For Jim, everything was about competition, and winning was what mattered most. Even as his health declined, when he began battling Parkinson’s disease after the age of 85, he was still insistent upon playing table tennis competitively. He became a huge fan of numerous American sports and loved to support successful teams like the New York Yankees and the Boston Celtics, and he also loved to support successful athletes like Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras. Jim would spend hours and hours watching sports on TV, and his kids and their families are still actively immersed in sports to this day.

Jim was a proud member of the Greek Orthodox church. Jim and Bessie attended many Greek Church sponsored events, and were always in attendance at Salt Lake City’s Annual Greek Festival, usually with their grandchildren in tow. He was also actively involved with the AHEPA organization-an organization founded to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence.

Jim was a devoted father, who worked hard to drive his children into becoming responsible adults. He was driven by a strong focus on earning, saving, and achieving success, and as he got older and became a grandfather and great-grandfather, he began to find more joy in day to day family moments. Whether he was in his “Strict Jim” or “Happy Jimmy,” character, he always did his best to care for and support his family.

Many of us were fortunate to recently celebrate his 90th birthday with him. It turned out to be one of the most memorable celebrations we’ve ever shared. When the singer performed the song My Way and reached the iconic line, “I did it my way,” it couldn’t have been more fitting. In that moment, it was clear to everyone — Jim truly did it his way.

Jim was preceded in death by his father; Νικόλαος (Nick), mother; Παναγιωτα (Peggy), three sisters; Έλενα (Elena), Αλεξανδρεία (Alexandria) Κωνσταντία (Constantina), and three brothers, Άγγελος (Angelo), Γεώργιος (George) and θεμιστοκλής (Themistocles). They are  now peacefully reunited together as a family.

 αναπαύσου εν ειρήνη με την οικογένειά σου (rest in peace with your family).

Services will take place on Thursday, September 18th from 11:00 to 2:00 pm at the Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance located on the north side of the building. Upon services concluding, Jim will be laid to rest at the Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake.