John William Demos

John William Demos, (A.K.A. “Baba”) The man. The myth. The mustache. John (the Generous) was born in Danville, Illinois in May of 1940 to radically hospitable Greek immigrants, William and Anastasia “Tasia” Demos. Their home was on Walnut Street was filled with cousins, prayers, meatballs, and Greek dancing in the living room. John blazed on the scene in kindergarten not knowing a word of English-but he was a fast learner and quickly picked up a new language, reaching fluency by first grade. He regularly worked shifts at his dad’s diner-delivering bowls of soup and bracing cups of hot coffee to paying (and nonpaying) customers alike. John often spun grand tales about the colorful regulars who frequented the Main Café, many of whom were transient men who traveled on the freight trains that regularly passed through town. John’s legacy of generosity began at that diner, with each cup of coffee served to an otherwise overlooked soul in need. When John asked his dad why he regularly fed these nonpaying customers, his father replied gently, “Yianni, you’ve never been hungry.” John took those words to heart. He served more cups of coffee and bowls of soup. He peeled potatoes in the basement of the diner and officially launched his entrepreneurial journey by subcontracting his paper route to his beloved little brother, Andy. John was the first in his family to pursue higher education. During his lifetime, he helped to make education possible for several other students too. He graduated from Butler University (go Dawgs) in 1962 and headed to law school for a few years before thinking better of the idea. He grew his legendary handlebar mustache in the late 1960s, rode motorcycles in a shimmering star-studded helmet, and got his pilot’s license. John’s love life also took flight when he met his soon-to-be wife/best friend, Mimi Cazana, one divinely orchestrated day when he called a local TV station in Indianapolis where she was regularly on-air. After tuning in (and personally verifying that she was brilliant, kind, and captivating) the two fell head-over-heels in love and had a Big Fat Greek wedding on September 2, 1973. Their bouncing baby girl (and biggest fan), Stasia, made her debut a year later in September of 1974 – completing their little family. John was a present, patient, hilarious, and absolutely beloved husband and father. John was also a generous employer and “gatherer of people.” He started Guardian Moving & Storage, Atlas Van Lines in the early 1970s and eventually served on the Atlas Van Lines World Group Board of Directors. “ It all began with one small van” over 50 years ago and is still operating and prospering today under the leadership of a dear friend. One of the hallmarks of the company that John’s employees never wanted to leave. Several became career-long employees and lifetime friends. John later owned and managed a local Remax Real Estate office in conjunction with his interest in the development of industrial properties. He successfully launched multiple small businesses and encouraged others (both practically and financially) to do the same. John’s life was one of quiet generosity, personal integrity, and bold adventure. Fishing expeditions took him around the globe to Belize, Alaska, Africa, and Canada. But his favorite fishing hole was at his family cabin in southern Indiana, where he would bait a hook with a fat night crawler for his little girl and then clean their bluegill for dinner. John lived out his faith in quiet, but lavishly generous ways and was the living definition of a “lifter of people” and a Good Samaritan. He made the world a brighter place by listening to friends and strangers alike with a compassionate heart. He loved his family and friends steadily, beautifully, and fiercely and it changed people for the better. John is receiving a raucous heavenly welcome from a multitude of loved ones-including his parents, William and Anastasia “Tasia” Demos; his nephew, Bill Demos; and his mother and father-in-law, John and Katherine Cazana. John is survived earthside by his loving wife of fifty years, Mimi Cazana Demos; his adoring daughter and son-in-law, Stasia Demos Mills and Matt Mills; his all-time favorite grandson and namesake, John Silas Mills; his brother, Andy Demos (Betty); his sisters-in-law, Teddi Fritts and Brenda Demos; his nephew, Jim Demos (Stephanie, Nick, AJ, and Lucas); and a glorious throng of friends, colleagues, employees, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at Spirit of Joy Church who consider him family. A Celebration of Life will be held at Spirit of Joy Church, 3535 Kessler Boulevard East Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46220, Monday, July 22, 2024, with visitation at 11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial celebration at noon. Following John’s committal (and a holy bluegrass sendoff) at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250, we will celebrate his generous, magnificent life with root beer floats, prayers, stories, and a family-style dinner at Maggiano’s Restaurant, 3550 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. We hope you’ll join us. Come as you are-any attire is welcome. Many of us will wear a bright color or a favorite shirt in honor of John’s life rather than black. In lieu of flowers, please consider continuing Baba’s legacy of generosity by making a memorial gift of support to medical missionaries, Drs. Steven & Katie Hoyt, at http://www.simusa.org/give (project number 97245) as they are in need of funding for medical supplies to support the Galmi Benevolent Hospital in Galmi, Niger. Alternatively, contributions made by check may be made payable to Spirit of Joy Church with this ministry noted on the memo line. Otherwise, you can also celebrate John’s life and legacy by pausing to notice someone in need of encouragement and taking the time and care to do it. And finally- Many Greek Orthodox Christians employ the traditional celebratory greeting “Christ is risen,” during the Easter season. The customary response is “Alithos Anesti” (Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη), which means “He has risen indeed.” John uttered these words throughout his life. And so, in honor of John’s foundational Greek Orthodox roots, we celebrate by saying, “Christ is Risen.” He is risen indeed. (Luke 24:23-24)

Tributes

John William Demos

May 12, 1940 - July 10, 2024