Jim George Stavrakakis

Jim Stavrakakis was an Ogden original. He has been truly committed to public service and his family over the past decades. He became significant to all of us. When he attended an array of board meetings it was for all of us. When he took phone calls for KUED on pledge night it, was for us. When he founded the "Shoes for Tots" program, it was for us. When he was tending bar at Ogden''s social events the drinks were for us. He drew satisfaction by doing for us. He was the moving force and master of many coffee clubs where he built enormous cadres of friends among us.

Jim was golfing on a beautiful day at Mt. Ogden Golf Course with his buddies on July 14, when he was stricken with a massive heart attack. He died July 21, 2013 at the McKay-Dee Hospital.

Jim was born April 23, 1930, in Hanna, Wyoming to Greek immigrant parents, Caliopi Bairaktari and George Michael Stavrakakis. He married Carol Moncla in 1964 and later divorced. He is survived by two daughters: Gina Stavrakakis, San Diego, CA, and Andrea Stavrakakis of Salt Lake City, a son Mark Stavrakakis of Lodi, CA, and two brothers: Mike Stavrakakis and John Stavrakakis of Modesto, CA.

Jim attended Modesto Junior College, California and graduated from Weber State College with a degree in social work. He served four years in the Air Force as a photographer and completed 2 tours of duty in Korea with the 17th Bomb Wing. Jim was assigned to Hill Air Force Base where he found a home and never left Utah. He was a social worker for the State, retiring in 2000. Stavie met many of his lifelong friends while bartending for decades for Ogden''s social events.

He was an extraordinary booster, a willing, committed volunteer providing his brand of untiring service on behalf of us - the people of Ogden. He also became involved at the University of Utah as a supporter of KUED. He was a lifelong devotee of Public Broadcasting and always had KUER on the radio in at least one room of his house.

He served on the boards of the United Way Northern Utah, YCC, Union Station, Egyptian Theater and Golden Spike Arena. He was also involved with the Christmas Village, the Share Food Program, and the Breakfast Exchange Club. He also helped establish the Big Brother Program and was a member of the Utah Sports Authority. Jim was a member of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce and had been recognized for special contributions, especially to the Spikers. Jim was a lifetime member of the Air Force Association and enjoyed the Saturday talks at the Hill Aerospace Museum.

Jim was very proud of his community service and loved Ogden. He will be greatly missed by his daughters and his kitties, all of whom he loved and took great care of.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 26th at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

A viewing will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd., where Military Honors will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hill Aerospace Museum or Humane Society.