James Andrew "Jim" Demetriou, Ph.D. passed away on January 16, 2020, having celebrated his 96th birthday three weeks earlier. He was born on December 26, 1923 in Santa Ana, California, the second son of Andreas and Maria Demetriou, immigrants from the Kalavryta region of Greece. The family moved to Huntington Park in the 1920s, where his parents operated small businesses, and eventually to Santa Monica in the 1930s. Jim attended Santa Monica High School (Class of 1941) and Santa Monica College, where he was Student Body President. In 1943 he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, serving at Camp Roberts in California, Fort Lewis in Washington, Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and Christmas Island in the South Pacific. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and was rated as a sharpshooter in riflery shooting right-handed - quite a special achievement considering he was born left-handed.

Returning from the War he enrolled at the University of Southern California graduating with a degree in Zoology in 1948 and was admitted to the Sigma Xi Science Honorary Society. He was the second President of Epsilon Phi Sigma, a society for Greek American students at USC. He continued in graduate work at USC, receiving his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Nutrition in 1956.

On July 19, 1953, he married the love of his life, Faye Kyriax, who he had known since she was 7 and he was 10. Married for over 66 years, they had four children, Andrew, Peter and twins Steven and Mary-Kay. In the mid-1950s and early 1960s he and his family lived in Inglewood and Jim worked for Northrop Corporation in the early days of the Man in Space Program, as well as with companies involved in clinical chemistry and biological research. He also was an adjunct professor of Biochemistry at USC and worked at the Los Angeles County Hospital.

In 1966 the family moved to Sherman Oaks, where Jim lived the rest of his life. He became an executive with Bio-Science Laboratories, the largest independent clinical laboratory in the Western United States, where he led research teams in developing various biological tests, including tests for breast cancer markers that are still in use today, and he eventually became the Assistant Director of the Laboratory. He was a long time member and leader in the American Association of Clinical Chemists, Co-Chairing its National Convention in 1972.

Jim placed a high value on educational achievement and encouraged his children and grandchildren to excel academically. He was also very supportive of their many extracurricular activities, including YMCA programs, scouting, and speech and oratory competitions in which they won state and national honors.

In retirement, he and Faye became world travelers. They visited over 40 countries on six continents and took cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean and St. Petersburg. They made several trips to visit relatives in Greece, to make sure that his family maintained a bond with distant cousins.

He also devoted time to his life-long passion for fishing, in which he involved the entire family, frequently traveling to Diamond Lake in Oregon and the lakes in the Mammoth region of the Sierras. He and Faye also became very active in the Scottish Country Dance Association, and he even adopted the tartan of Clan Jamieson.

Jim was a man of deep faith, serving two Greek Orthodox parishes for over 85 years, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary known as the San Julian Street Church and Saint Sophia Cathedral. He served as an altar boy, parish volunteer, member of the Parish Council (including two terms as its President in 1969-70), member of the Saint Sophia Camp Committee and for 34 years as a Trustee of the Saint Sophia Foundation, retiring in his mid-90s. For many years he managed the finances of the Foundation, greatly increasing its endowment in support of Saint Sophia Cathedral. In recognition of his service, he was given the Blessed Hand Award in 2019, the highest honor the Foundation can bestow. Beyond his volunteer work, he was a faithful parishioner, regularly attending church services and receiving the Eucharist the weekend before his passing.

He was also a fixture in the Greek American Community of Los Angeles. He and Faye would regularly attend dances, cultural events, lectures and exhibitions at UCLA, USC, Loyola Marymount and the Getty Center. They had many life-long friends and enjoyed frequent dinners and trips with their social set.

He is survived by Faye, his sons Andrew (Evelyn Quinn), Peter (Janet), Steven (Joanna) and daughter, Mary-Kay, as well as three granddaughters, Alexandra, Kate and Nicole and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 11:00 am at Saint Sophia Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90006.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Saint Sophia Foundation, 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90006.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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