Louis Brailas

Funeral service for Mr. Louis Brailas, age 83, of Nacogdoches will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Laird Funeral Home, with Father Brendan Pelphrey officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Brailas died Saturday, August 26, 2006 in Nacogdoches. Born April 25, 1923, in Houston, he was the son of Caria (Kostas) Brailas and Nicholas Brailas. He played football for Lamar High School in Houston, and graduated in 1941. Louis was proud to be a member of the Lamar "41" Club. Mr. Brailas served his country during World War II as a combat infantryman, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant while serving in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and was called upon again during the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Mr. Brailas attended Texas A&M University and obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and remained a loyal Aggie his entire life. He loved watching Aggie sports, and was a member of the Texas A&M Alumni Association. He and Mary Dorothy Pratley were married on June 19, 1949 in Galveston by Father Scotis. Louis and Mary Dorothy loved to travel, and had been to Alaska, Italy, all over Europe and to China. One of his hobbies was walking, and while he was in China he walked on the Great Wall. They loved family and friends, and favorite times were Thanksgiving and Christmas with loved ones. Mr. and Mrs. Brailas were members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Until his retirement, he was an independent dealer for Exxon Oil Co. Other memberships include the Nacogdoches Chapter of the AARP, the Masonic Lodge in Houston, and AHEPA, a Greek Orthodox association. Survivors include his wife Mary Dorothy (Pratley) Brailas of Nacogdoches; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Deborah Brailas of Austin and Jeffrey and Martha Brailas of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Carrie and Dr. Gerard Ventura of Nacogdoches; brother, Alexander Brailas of Wimberly, and five grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas and Matthew Brailas and Brian and Meredith Ventura. Active pallbearers will be Christopher Brailas, Nicholas Brailas, Matthew Brailas and Brian Ventura. Memorials may be made to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 1719 Creswell Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd Houston, Texas 77006. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. with Trisagion being held at 7 p.m. at Laird Funeral Chapel.Laird Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.