Mr. Sam Theodore Stathis

Sam Theodore Stathis of Severna Park, MD, passed away on Friday April 26, 2013 in Baltimore, MD. Sam was born on January 4, 1919 in Saint Louis, MO and was the son of the late Theodore and Mabel Stathis. Sam joined the United States Army in 1941, and proudly served his country. He also served as a navigator in World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps. Sam began his working career as a teacher at a Tech School; he was also chief engineer for USC and for Cedars Sinai in California. Later in life, Sam worked as a mechanical engineer for J.C. Penny. In this job, Sam was in charge of all new construction in the Western United States. He loved this job and it led him to many opportunities including travel. Sam was a fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion, VFW and Elks. Sam will be remembered most for his great sense of humor and famous joke of the day. Sam is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Grace V. Stathis and his sister Bette Myers. Sam lived most of his life in Southern California, and he and his wife lived in their first home in California for 50 years. He loved gardening, being outside, and enjoyed many years on his boat in Santa Barbara. Sam had a great interest in healthy living, and grew many vegetables and fruits in his backyard. He resided with Joan and Jim for the past 3 years in Severna Park. Sam is survived by his loving daughter Joan Duryee and her husband Jim; two grandchildren CJ and Laura Duryee; two nieces Vicki White and Chris Meyers; nephew Roger Vournes and their spouses. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 669 Ritchie Highway Severna Park, MD 21146 at 9:45am. Interment services will follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Crownsville, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675.