Peter Alex

Reverend Deacon Peter Alex

Great men come and go, but legendary men leave behind a legacy.

Our family patriarch, the Reverend Deacon Peter Alex, passed away peacefully in the loving embrace of his family on May 1, 2015. Born June 1, 1927 to Greek immigrants, John Alex and Katherine Anastasopoulou in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. He was a small child when the family settled in Davis County.

He began active duty in the US Navy the day after graduating from Davis High School in 1945. After proudly serving in WWII he was honorably discharged. Attended the University of Utah, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Science. During the Korean War he joined the 362th Field Artillery Battalion and stayed in the Army Reserve over 30 years, retiring as a Colonel. Peter thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow reservists. He went to work at Hill Air Force Base as a civil servant, serving three branches of the military.

He married the love of his life, Catherine Chipian of Bingham Canyon on June 14, 1953. Peter and Cathy raised their two children, Jamie and Matt on their family farm in West Layton. After retiring from HAFB, and receiving his Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Weber State University in 1983, Pete taught social studies, world geography, and civics for 13 years in the Davis School District, touching the lives of many students.

Accomplishing one of his most important life’s goals, he was ordained a Deacon in the Greek Orthodox Church at the age of 58. He spent the remainder of his life serving The Lord and community of the Ogden Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. He was a true and faithful servant of the Lord, devoted, generous, and unwavering in his beliefs.

Peter was many things to many people: husband, father, papou, great-papou, Deacon, uncle, nouno, brother, son, soldier, servant, teacher, mentor, carpenter, story-teller, jokester, friend, neighbor, rancher, shepherd, farmer…a true renaissance man.

Farming was one of the most rewarding facets of his life. He felt that “the nearest profession to serving God is to be a farmer and till His earth.”

Papou, we love you and we will miss your wonderful sense of humor and we will always cherish our many memories of laughing around the dinner table with you. You have been our pillar of strength, teaching us to count our blessings, encouraging us to be mindful of all the less fortunate, and encouraging us to always give back. You have been an example to us all.

Peter is survived by his wife Cathy (Katie); son Matthew; daughter Jamie (Bob) Bateman; grandchildren Anna (Billy) Rogers, Rachel (Ryan) Gurney, Desireé (Jeff) Cherye, Matthew, Samantha; and many great-grandchildren; brothers James and Franklin (Elizabeth), multiple nieces, nephews and godchildren. Preceded in death by his parents.

The family wishes to extend many thanks to the doctors and nurses at ORMC for their loving and compassionate care. Our deepest appreciation to Dr. and Mrs. Michael Diehl for their expertise, time and loving support. Also to Deacon Pete’s brothers in Christ, Reverend Fathers Mario, Jon, Dan, and Elias for their spiritual guidance and prayers.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Ogden, UT. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. May his memory be eternal.