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John Kandarakis Obituary
Dr. John C. Kandarakis, 78 of Tallahassee, passed away Monday, August 22, 2011. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Beggs Funeral Home, 3322 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Fl. 32311, (850)942-2929, with burial at MeadowWood Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Friday in the Chapel.
He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret Louise Kandarakis and a devoted father to his twin daughters. He is survived by his daughters Dina Andrews (Mark) and Maria (Calla) Stephens both of Virginia, his younger brother Spyros Kandarakis of Athens, Greece, and many loving friends. Dr. Kandarakis, son of Lt. General and Mrs. Constantine Kandarakis of Athens, Greece, was born in Athens, Greece.
He always had a smile for everyone and a quick wit. John C. Kandarakis received his PhD. degree from The Florida State University. After graduation from XIII Gymnasium for Boys, Athens, 1954, he enrolled at College of Political Science in Athens (Panteios Schole). The same year, under private sponsorship, he came to the United States and enrolled at Yuba College, Marysville, California, where he received an Associate in Arts degree in 1956. Two years later, in 1958, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State College. In November of 1958, he married the former Margaret Louise Cannon of Memphis, Tennessee. He entered the business world in 1958.
In 1963, John began his teaching career with the Bay County, Florida, public schools. The next summer he was awarded a three-summer graduate scholarship from the International Paper Fellowship Foundation and in 1967 he received his Master's degree from Auburn University. In 1967, the Kandarakis moved to Madison, Florida, where Dr. Kandarakis was appointed instructor at North Florida Junior College. He entered Florida State University in 1973 and, while teaching full time, pursued a Ph.D in Education. Dr. Kandarakis retired from the Florida Department of Education as a Bilingual Education Consultant and was a member of Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church in Tallahassee.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in John's name to: Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Rd.,Tallahassee, Fl. 32308, or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, Fl. 32308.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Kandarakis
Sappho Kandarakis
August 26, 2025
Dear uncle always in our hearts.
Sappho Kandarakis niece
Spyros Kandarakis brother
Ninette Kandarakis
Kostas Kandarakis & family
Rodney P. Smith, Jr.
August 19, 2021
People may not realize what excellent scholarship and leadership John displayed all over the state of Florida during his work with the State of Florida Department of Education.
I had the privilege of observing John's excellence.
Rodney P. Smith, Jr.
Former Executive Director
State of Florida Department of Education
Dr. Rodney Smith
February 2, 2021
I was a colleague of Dr. John C. Kandarakis in the State of Florida Department of Education while I served as Executive Director of Florida Public Schools. Persons should know that Dr. Kandaraskis served in a statewide capacity advising on diversity and bilingual curriculum during a very trying time in the history of Florida and in the history of the United States. While other states were struggling with biracial problems in the United States, Dr. Kandaralkis was providing leadership that reached the highest level of the Florida Legislature and as well, to the Governor's office and on to the Congress and administration of the government of the United States. Through his scholarship and vision, Dr. Kandarakis helped to lead Florida to a position of national significance. In all of this, he was a dynamic leader and a person of great integrity-- though modest and unassuming, truly a world leader harkening back to the magnificence of Greece leading to Western World Culture.
JOHN GRANVILLE
August 28, 2011
Dear Dina and Cal,
So sorry to hear of your dad. Last time I talked with him was on his birthday about 3+ years ago I believe. He was so funny and still had the quick wit. His birthday was always easy to remember as it was the same as my mom. It always surprised him when I would call on his birthday.
Sincerely,
John Granville
Bill McCain
August 28, 2011
Sorry to hear about your loss. He was truly a great man and educator.
Beverly Dunaway
August 27, 2011
Your Dad was a gifted educator who touched forever the lives of his students. Many years ago as I began my teaching career, he gave to me his time and expertise. When he shared his life experiences in Greece, he prepared the way for me to teach students from other countries. I will never forget his thirst for learning and heart for sharing his knowledge. Uncle John made the best Greek Salad and other Greek foods. He will be missed. Dina and Calla,I am so grateful I could spend time with you today. You are loved.
Spyros Kandarakis
August 27, 2011
To my belove nieces Dina & Calla,
At this time of great grief nothing comforting can be really said.
Sooner or later everyone of us is called to face the inevitable.
You have done your part with dignity and care. You should be content.
You have reciprocated the love and care, with which he raised you, in full.
God bless you all.
May God rest his soul.
He will be remembered as a loving brother and uncle.
Your Uncle from Greece & Family
Spyros C. Kandarakis
Ninette Kandarakis
Sappho Kandarakis
Costas Kandarakis (Angeliki & little Katia)
Michelle Gambill
August 25, 2011
Dina & Maria,
You have my deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
The Gambill Family
Matthew Dresser
August 25, 2011
Dina & Calla, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Uncle John. I look back joyfully at the many fond memories of our visits when we were younger. I will always be appreciative for his generous meals and great discussions when I was a hungry student attending FAMU. I know you two meant everything to him. He will truly be missed. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love and miss you guys!
John Dec
August 25, 2011
Dina and Maria,
We are so sorry for your loss. The thoughts and prayers from our family is with yours.
God Bless
John, Janice, Chris and Stacey Dec
Travis Dunaway
August 25, 2011
Dina & Calla, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a wonderful man and always treated me with such amazing grace. I'll never forget his personal tours thru FSU as a freshman (when i didn't know what direction was up). He was always there for me and I know how much he loved the two of you. I know we all have different lives to live, but what I do know more than anything is that we ARE family and your father will be missed dearly!
Gena Rae Kelley-Shiver
August 25, 2011
Dina & Calla, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. We enjoyed the times we had together in Madison. You are in our thoughts & prayers. Love ya dearly!!
Sandy Kelley
August 25, 2011
We lived next to the Kandarakis in Madison, and thought so very much of John and Margaret. You girls were very small and so sweet and your parents adored you both. You and your families will be in ou thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Sincerely, Tom and Sandy Kelley
Elaine Mathewes
August 25, 2011
Dina and Maria, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a very nice person and always like you said had a smile for everyone. I only knew your father for a short time at Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, but he spoke highly of his "twin" daughters and was very proud of you both. May you in the times ahead remember the laughter and wonder times you shared. May His Memory Be Eternal!
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