✦ ✦ ✦
Sotirios (Sam) D. Velis, age 85, of Royse City, formerly of Windom and Dallas, Texas, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2019 in Greenville at Briarcliff Health Center. He was born Trexlous Kalabryton, Greece to Demetrios B. Velis and Anteopy Andonopoulos on January 5, 1934. He married Christina Grivas on October 30, 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas, she preceded him in death. They were married for 59 years and had five children.
Sam was of the Greek Orthodox Faith and a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas.
He is survived by sons, Tommy J. Velis and wife, Tina; John N. Velis; daughters, Nicki V. Young and husband, Barry, Mary S. Villanuera; brothers, Deno Velis and wife, Angelic, Bill Velis and wife, Stacy; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; daughter, Anteopy S. Nikolopoulos and son-in-law, Peter D.; brother, George Velis; sister-in-law, Georgia Velis; sister, Mary Spyropoulos; brother-in-law, Thrasevolos; niece, Vasilik Reeks and Nephew, Pete Spiros.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Briarcliff Nursing Home, for the special care they gave to Sam.