John James Pavlou

John James Pavlou

BLOOMINGTON - John James Pavlou, 77, of Bloomington, died in his sleep on February 2, 2024.

He is survived by his wife, Kate (Lewis); his daughters: Alexis Pavlou of Bloomington, and Anna Lilly Pavlou (John Richard Stewart) of Dallas, TX; and his brother, Dennis Eugene Pavlou of Forest Park, IL. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Richard Lewis and sister-in-law, Pat Lewis of Chicago.

John attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, transferring his junior year to the University of Illinois where he received his undergraduate degree.

After teaching high school for two years in the Chicago suburbs, he attended Valparaiso University School of Law where he earned a Juris Doctor Degree.

Initially in private law practice in Chicago's Chinatown, he moved with his wife to Bloomington to head Illinois State University's Student Legal Services before taking a job as General Counsel for the Illinois State Fire Marshal in Springfield. There, for many years, he was instrumental in advancing and enforcing fire safety laws and regulations as well as myriad other duties.

As a committed member of the TIPs Section of the American Bar Association, he was particularly active in the Section's pro bono projects and programs.

An avid photographer for both the ABA and as a hobby, he enjoyed traveling America's backroads, documenting a changing landscape and culture.

He was immensely proud of his daughters with whom he shared a love of photography, travel, and history.

Gregarious, charismatic, brilliant, he enjoyed chocolate, bourbon, and people. And the man loved to talk, as anyone who was fortunate enough to know him could attest.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to local PBS stations (WILL or WTVP) or OSF Hospice.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Condolences and memories may be shared with his family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.