H.R. No. 1255
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of Baytown and the Greek community of
Southeast Texas lost a devoted friend with the death of George Sam
Saphos on January 30, 2011, at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, Born in Galveston on September 7, 1925, Mr. Saphos
answered his nation's call to duty as a young man and served with
the U.S. Army Air Forces; he graduated from the University of
Pittsburgh, where he majored in electrical engineering and played
on the Pitt football team; after college, he worked with Sargent
Electric in Pittsburgh before returning to Texas and beginning a
long, productive career with Merit Electric in Houston; and
WHEREAS, A patriotic American who loved his country, Mr.
Saphos was equally proud of his Greek heritage, and he did much to
instill a love and appreciation for Greek culture and traditions in
his extended family and friends; he was active in Kavo-Papas, the
Houston Chapter of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America, and he
served many terms as an officer of the charitable organization, on
occasion leading the group as president; reportedly the oldest,
longest-standing member of the national brotherhood, he was also a
member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive
Association; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Saphos shared a rewarding marriage of 47 years
with his wife, Maria; they were blessed with three children,
Isabel, Alex, and Mike, as well as three grandchildren, whom he
especially loved spending time with; devoted to his faith, he was a
longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in
Houston, and he later attended St. John the Theologian Greek
Orthodox Church in Webster; and
WHEREAS, In addition to competing for many years in the
Baytown Bowling League, Mr. Saphos was an avid golfer and held
membership in the Goose Creek Country Club; he was also an
enthusiastic gardener and pinochle player; and
WHEREAS, George Saphos enjoyed a life that was rich in
family, friends, and accomplishments, and he leaves behind a record
of service and achievement that will be forever remembered with
pride by all who held him close in their hearts; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of George Sam Saphos
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Maria Lardas Saphos; to his daughter and son-in-law, Isabel
and Lee Mitchell; to his sons and daughters-in-law, Alex and
Melissa Saphos and Mike and Michelle Saphos; to his grandsons,
George Mitchell, Travis Mitchell, and Christopher Saphos; and to
his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of George Sam
Saphos.
Bonnen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1255 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 21, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House