james arvanitis

James Bill Arvanitis, affectionately known as "Big Jimmy," took his final road trip to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
It is evident from all that he left behind, the projects completed and those left in the middle, that up until the end his mind and his heart remained focused on that which he loved the most. His body had long since started to present obstacles to what he was once capable of creating – but his persistent will fought against the confines of his physical limitations. His heart and his workshop were always filled with abundant hope.
Jimmy was born on September 11, 1961 to Vasilios "Bill" Arvanitis and Athanasia "Ann" (Mandas) Arvanitis in Long Beach, California.
Shortly thereafter, his parents moved to Westminster, where Jimmy attended Westminster High School. His childhood was spent split between the Greek community of Long Beach and Anaheim and the adventurous American youth from the surrounding neighborhoods. He attended Greek school and Sunday School at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church when it was still a wooden building and remained connected to his heritage throughout his younger years to honor his parents and grandparents from the Old Country whom he adored. He developed many strong ties to the "elder" Greeks who shared his passion for hunting and other outdoor expeditions – some of his fondest memories involved his Uncles Tom Arvanitis and Christos Smyrniotis and the days in New Cuyama. On the American side, Jimmy's passion then and through the end of his life revolved around anything with wheels. He started with skateboards and BMX bikes and progressed to dirt bikes and motorcycles, monster trucks, pre-runners and most recently classic cars. There are many that can attest to his high intensity and fearlessness when it came to his love of anything automotive, mechanical and technological. This passion fueled his creativity which included drafting, fabricating and manufacturing his own custom designs and parts. To that end, he built a sizeable workshop where he would spend hours each day lost in his obsession. Later, he would take orders for custom parts and motorcycles, though he himself remained loyal to Harley Davidson. His latest and most adored restoration project was a 1969 SS Impala - parts for that restoration project arrived a day after he passed. The family is comforted in knowing that up until the end, Jimmy had lived in expectation and hope, that he could build that dream he envisioned in his head.
Of all the people in the world, Jimmy loved his mother the most, and after his father passed was always available to answer any call. His life took an unexpected turn when a minor injury progressed into several surgeries and ultimately in the loss of a leg. He was curtailed in taking the road trips he so enjoyed, but overcame the obstacle to once again ride his Harley from time to time. His motto was "where others get tired, I am just getting started – I work until the job gets done". And that he did. Through injury and pain and not always in his best interest, Jimmy put people and animals first. He loved his dogs more than himself and despite his size and stature could easily shed a tear, - and did, when they preceded him to heaven. He had many friends, made them easily, and is remembered fondly by all – for his quick and comical wit, the breadth of his knowledge of so many things, his bright smile, and hearty laugh. He cared for all as family members and extended a wing to protect those smaller (which was most everybody). He made everything better with a kind word or a helping hand. He was a loving and thoughtful brother, the go-to guy for all impossible tasks, the christened Jimmy of the "jimmy-rigged it", and a superhero and father to his nephews and niece. He fostered his friends' children and made sure they knew that "Big Jimmy" was exactly the right size of friend. Through the pandemic, cousins and friends kept in constant touch: Cousins Peter and Pano and George, and friends John, Kevin, Gus, Sam, Jimmy, John, and far too many more to list, were like brothers, talking for hours. The friends he made from years past and present were a constant in his life as well, with a multitude of calls on his birthday, the holidays and just because. For certain, all that met him, always remembered him – he made that kind of impression – and they, in turn, widened his smile and his world. There was always an abundance of love.
That love continues as he is survived by his mother, Ann Arvanitis, his sisters Toula and Eleni Arvanitis, his nephew Vasilios and his wife, Gabrielle, his nephew Alex, and his niece Zoe Athanasia, and he will remain forever in our hearts as well as in the hearts of all that knew and loved him.
All are invited to join the family for a memorial luncheon to follow the graveside service at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that those so inclined, commit to paper their fondest memory of their time of acquaintance with Big Jimmy to present to his mother in the days to come, and/or a contribution of any kind to any worthy charity or cause in his name.
Services to be held at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 405 North Dale Street Anaheim, CA. Trisagion at 6:30pm on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 and the funeral at 11:00am on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Graveside service at Westminster Memorial Park.
Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.
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