John H. Tarazi began his beautiful life in Gaza, Palestine on June 11, 1926. He was one of four brothers and a sister born to Demetri and Zoe Tarazi. In his young life in Gaza, John served in the Coast Guard and attended Cairo University, where he studied law.  He went on to a career at the United Nations working for the United Nations Relief Works Agency as Chief of Registration and Statistics for the Palestinian refugees.

John came to the United States in August of 1955, on a student visa. He attended Pasadena City College and shortly after received a scholarship to Pepperdine University where he studied chemical engineering. Forever the leader, he was President of the Foreign Student's Club during his time at PCC and an active member of the Pasadena Rotary Club. While at PCC he met his wife in 1958, Ellie Sakellariou. They first met in the Foreign Students Club on a field trip to Disneyland. To put himself through college John worked two jobs. He was a desk clerk after school until midnight Monday through Friday at the YMCA in Pasadena. He also worked for an elderly woman taking care of her and her home until her death in 1959. John did his post graduate work at USC and received his MBA from Alexander Hamilton Institute.

John's faith was always of the upmost importance to him. He attended Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles and the bible study group regularly under the tutelage of Father Homer Demopulos.  He married Ellie on December 12, 1959 at Saint Sophia Cathedral. They were blessed with three children, Vicky, Ted and Tina. He began and operated Jonell Oil Corporation in 1975, until his retirement in 2013.  Jonell manufactured industrial lubricants and specialty oils.  During that time, John was a member of the American Chemical Society, where he served as Chairman of the Ethics Committee. John was respected in the business community and throughout the oil industry during his entire 54-year career.  Some of the largest oil and chemical companies called on John to consult on their most challenging technical problems.

The backbone of John's life was family and faith. He was one of the founders and leaders of his beloved Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox parish in Pasadena, California. He served as Parish Council President in 1971. He was a Parish Council member for over 30 years.  John was instrumental in the building of the church and also served as the Building Committee Secretary from 1974-1983.  He served as a Youth Advisor and a Sunday School teacher and he chaired countless fund raisers and festivals. John was awarded the Archdiocesan medal of Saint Paul in 1993 for his outstanding dedication to his community. He was again honored in 2010 with the Spirit of Stewardship award. His love for his church was endless.

The absence of John's daily presence will be profoundly felt, but his strength and love will live eternally to the many whose lives he touched.  John was an exceptional husband, father and pappou. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, his children, grandchildren, and friends.

We love you.

The Trisagion will be at 7:00 pm on Sunday, August 21, 2016 and the funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, August 22, 2016, both services held at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, 778 S. Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107.

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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