Dr. Trakas

Dr. Perry Nicholas Trakas, 86, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, July 11, 2015, at White Oak Estates. Born July 26, 1928, in Spartanburg, SC, he was the youngest and last remaining of the 11 children of Nicholas Sarantos Trakas and Joanna Harakas Trakas, the original Greek settlers in Spartanburg. Dr. Trakas enjoyed the practice of dentistry for 50 years - most of all getting to know and caring for his patients. He loved the outdoors, especially his cattle farm, horticulture, hunting, and fishing. He was also an accomplished singer and avid music-lover and supporter of the arts community in Spartanburg. A 1945 graduate of Spartanburg City Schools Dr. Trakas received his BS in Pre-Med from Clemson University in 1950 and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1954. While in attendance at Clemson, he was a member of the Senior Platoon, the Persian Rifles, and president of the Glee Club and Calhoun Forensic Society. At the Medical College of Virginia, he was the editor of the student newspaper, "Skull and Bones". A Captain in the U. S. Army, he served as a dentist in Okinawa, Korea, and the U. S. Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Spartanburg where he was a choir member, served as Parish Council President four times and was a Board member for 30 years. He was also a member of the Adelphotis Arohoviton Karyae Society and the Spartan Chapter #268 of the Order of AHEPA. He attended the Episcopal Church of the Advent until he was 14 years old. Additional community service and memberships include former president of the Spartanburg County Dental Society, Piedmont District Dental Society, and The Sertoma Club of Spartanburg. He was a Board member of the SC Dental Association, Spartanburg Repertory Company, Spartanburg County Livestock Producers Association, Spartanburg Day School, and the Charles Lea Center. He was also a member of the International College of Dentists, the American Dental Association, Spartanburg Symphony Chorus (now known as Spartanburg Festival Chorus), Oratorio Singers of Charlotte (NC), and Spartanburg Men's Garden Club. Surviving are his beloved wife of 58 years, Sophia Leventis Trakas; children, JoAnn "Gina" Trakas of the home and Charles Lea Center, Maria T. Barry and husband Patrick of Spartanburg, and Nicholas D. "Dean" Trakas and wife Kelly of Tryon, NC; grandchildren, Sophia Frances Barry and John Patrick Barry of Spartanburg, SC, and Anna Trakas and William Trakas of Tryon, NC. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers and sisters, infant Mary N. Trakas, Gus N. Trakas, Sarantos N. "Dyke" Trakas, Mary N. Laskas, Dr. Pedro N. Trakas, Venus N. Chakales, Dr. George N. Trakas, Helene T. Flegas, Virginia T. Couchell, and Bessie T. Kekas. Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 PM Wednesday, July 15, 2015, with the Trisagion Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 PM, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 697 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 16, 2015, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, by his nephew, The Rt. Rev. Dimitrios Couchell, Bishop of Xanthos, and The Rev. George F. Nayfa. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, PO Box 1107, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or The Charles Lea Center Foundation, 195 Burdette Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. The family expresses thanks to the staff of White Oak Estates, Eden Terrace, and Spartanburg Regional Hospice for their loving care and compassion. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Perry Nicholas Trakas please visit our Sympathy Store.