Jack Kakis

JACK KAKIS
April 27, 1920—December 9, 2006
“Worship the altars of your ancestors. But remember the flames and not the ashes”
Pebble Beach – Jack Kakis, a 50 year resident of Monterey County, passed away at age 86 on December 9,2006 at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Jack and his loving wife of 59 years, Mirka, left their family and friends and immigrated to the United States in 1951. They arrived in New York, with two suitcases and a lot of ambition.
Jack was the embodiment of the “American dream.” Unable to speak English, he began driving a flower delivery truck in New York City while attending night classes. Eventually, he registered for graduate school at the University of Connecticut, where he earned his Master’s degree in horticulture by translating each word of reading material and class notes from a dictionary. After graduation in 1953, Jack and Mirka moved west where Jack began a long and illustrious career in agriculture.
As an executive with Basic American Foods, Jack oversaw the establishment of their plant in King City, where he lived and raised his family for twenty years. Jack was a front-runner in developing garlic operations throughout the world, especially in Mexico and South America.
After leaving Basic, Jack converted an old dairy building in Soledad into executive offices and formed his own company, Monterey Agricultural Products, which also specialized in garlic growing and processing. He traveled the world as an agricultural consultant. His work with Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (VOCA), where he helped Indian tribes in Central America to be more self-sufficient by growing crops for income, earned him honors from President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
Jack’s endeavors in agriculture established himself as the “Garlic King.” In 1981, he was a consultant/cast member for a documentary film entitled, “Garlic is as Good as 10 Mothers.” He spoke several languages and made many lifelong friends throughout the world. Jack treated everyone with dignity, respect and humor. His home was always open to visitors from all walks of life. Jack liked nothing better than to have his living room full of the sound of laughter and good conversation of his family and friends.
He was a war hero who was decorated by the Greek government with the Medal for Bravery under Duress and the National Medal of Greek Resistance. He was also inducted as a member of the Military Order of the World Wars. Jack left the army with the rank of Major before coming to the United States.
His experiences as an officer who led a mounted group of guerrillas throughout Greece on horseback led to a lifelong passion for horses.
Jack loved to take friends for long horseback rides from his barn in Pebble Beach, through the forest, over fences, up the sand dunes and down to the beach. Generally, if a new rider survived the wild ride, they were hooked on the sport. Jack mentored many new riders and absolutely loved having company on the trail. He enjoyed being a member of the Los Altos Hunt and training and showing hunters and jumpers in horse shows with his daughters.
Additionally, Jack was an avid sailor and a founding member of the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club as well as a member of the Pacheco Club,King City Lions Club, Monterey Symphony, Navy League,Pebble Beach Trails Association, American Horticultural Society, and the Hellenic Cultural Society.
Along with Mirka, Jack is survived by three daughters, Vilia Kakis Gilles (Chad Ables) of Carmel Highlands, Laura Kakis Serper (Arcadi) of Oakland and Maya Kakis Pechak (Jochen) of Los Altos; his sister, Carmen Rousso of Pebble Beach; nephew, Joe Rousso of Pebble Beach and his brother, Dr. Frederick Kakis of Palm Desert. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Lia Gilles, Jack Gilles, Daniel Serper and Emile Serper, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Our family extends our deepest gratitude to Jack’s caregivers, Marland Steeples, Ana Kelly Escovar and Edgar, as well as to the incredibly dedicated staff at CHOMP, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and Pacific Coast Care Center. Also, our profound thanks to Dr. Steven Packer, CEO of CHOMP, as well as Drs. Quamar, Petrini, Centurion, Donald Goldman, Halamandaris, Chen and Kehl for extending Jack’s life and for treating him like the gem he was.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Farm School, a 100 year-old non-profit educational institution in Greece devoted to instructing Greek youth in modern farming techniques.
Many local high school students have attended “Greek Summer,” a service-based summer program at the Farm School. Jack was a trustee of the school for many years. Donations may be sent to the Farm School U.S. Office at 1133 Broadway, Ste. 1625, New York, New York 10010-7903. A celebration of Jack’s life is planned for January. “We met two Kings, two Queens and two American Presidents along the way Along with a multitude of villa dwellers and villagers, But that wasn’t as important as the privilege of being together As a family which was one and which loved.” —Excerpts from “Metamorphosis”, by Bruce Lansdale and Robert McCabe