Dr. Kosmas Kayes

Dr. Kosmas Kayes Loving husband and father, formerly of Lake Station and recently living in Zionsville, Indiana passed away this past Tuesday at age 79. He is survived by his wife, Joan K. Kayes (DuFon) and his children Kosmas J. (Lisa) Kayes, MD and D. Christopher (Anna) Kayes, PhD. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Kosmas Alec, Alyssa Evon, Braden Christopher, and Benjamin Kosmas, brother Thomas Kayes and his sisters Peggy (Albert) Terzes and Bessie Naglosky and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Kosmas and Anna, his brother-in-law William Naglosky and sister-in-law Fritz Kayes. A lifelong educator, Kosmas served as Superintendent of Schools at Lake Station Community Schools for 27 years. Among other accomplishments, he directed the renovation or construction of almost every building in the school system during his tenure. He was instrumental in establishing the Northwest Indiana Educational Service Center; he was a founding member of the Northwest Indiana Public Schools Study Council and a member of the Northern Indiana Superintendents Club. After his retirement from Lake Station he directed the renovation of Highland High School. Prior to his tenure as Superintendent, he was a teacher and principle at Calumet Jr. High School. He was, at various times, an adjunct professor of school finance at Indiana University and Purdue Calumet. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Indiana University, School of Education. He received numerous awards including the distinguished alumni award from the Indiana University School of Education and was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Evan Bayh. He was a Life Member of the Indiana University Alumni Association and acted as the Alumni Representative for the School of Education Alumni Association. He was an avid supporter of IU basketball and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching them compete in sports. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. directly at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville with Reverend Theodore Poteres, officiating. Burial to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Friends may visit with the family, Sunday, August 15 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville. A Trisagion Prayer Service will be held Sunday at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Kosmas Kayes Scholarship Fund of the Lake Station Schools Dollars for Scholars or St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, please visit the guestbook section at www.geisenfuneralhome.com. For more information call 219-769-3322.