James John Sallas

James John Sallas, the son of Greek immigrants John and Efthemia (Provataky) Sallas, passed away at his residence in Florham Park, New Jersey, at 6 a.m. March 25, 2009. He was born October 11, 1915, in Kansas City, Missouri. He and his wife Jennie (Tallen), whom he married on April 30, 1950, moved to New Jersey from Kansas City in January 2007 to be close to their son Bill and his family. While growing up, James served as one of the first acolytes at both the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Franklin Elementary School, West Junior High School, and graduated from Manual Training High School in 1933. He then attended Central Business College until 1935. He worked part-time for his Uncle, Gus Lagas, at Lagas' Drug Store while still in school. After completion of Business College, he worked for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, for a few months, and then worked for Franklin Ice Cream Company until 1942. On July 16, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. In the Army Air Force he was a radio mechanic in the Air Transport Command, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations until his discharge December 1, 1945. He was a Sergeant. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Victory Medal, and 3 Service bars. Early in 1946 he was employed by the U.S. Post Office Department as a window clerk (finance) and after receiving credit for his military service retired November 17, 1978, after 36 years of service. In 1981 he was awarded the Laity award by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. He is survived by his wife Jennie, sister Mary Ladas, brother Pete, sons John and Bill, daughter-in-law Maria, and granddaughter Eleni. A Trisagion Service will be held at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, March 29th, with visitation from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 30th, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri, with burial following in Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave, Kansas City, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). Arrangements: McGilley State Line Chapel, 816-942-6180.