Pantele James Xanthos passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the age of 91, at home surrounded by his family.

Pantele was born in Los Angeles on July 2, 1924.  He grew up in East LA where he began his love of Mexican food.  He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1943 where he lettered in track.  Not only was he an accomplished sprinter for the Rough Riders and class president, but was also selected as one of nine Ephebians from his senior class, the highest award that could be achieved in high school.

At the outbreak of WWII, Pantele joined the Merchant Marines where he served from 1943 until 1946.  Once home, he worked in his family's Hellenic Market on Gallardo Street in Los Angeles.  He then went on to own Pan's Liquor in Arcadia and most recently owned Ecco's Restaurant in Long Beach, California.

He married Angela Tripodes on October 9, 1949.  They were blessed with three children.  Even though Pantele worked long hours, he still found time to help establish the first Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena, Saint Anthony's. He was Chapter President of the Rose Bowl Chapter of AHEPA in 1958, and Chapter President of the Oinoe Chapter of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood. He also started the first Sons of Pericles chapter (youth auxiliary of AHEPA) in Pasadena, originally the Pantele J. Xanthos chapter.  Not only was he elected parish council president twice, he chaired the Saint Anthony Greek Festival several times and worked on other church activities.  He was awarded the Archdiocesan Medal of Saint Paul in recognition of his outstanding service and commitment to his Greek Orthodox faith.  Until his passing, Pantele was president of the Saint Anthony VIP's, the church's senior group.  He was one of the last of a generation of hard-working and committed individuals devoted not only to his faith but to his family.

Pantele joins his wife Angela, his grandson Nicholas and many other family members.  He leaves behind his three children, Lisa, Zoe (Tony), Jim and the light of his life, grand-daughter Alexandra (Tom) and his great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Georgie. He is also survived by his sister Parry Pappas, brother Peter (Georgia), sisters-in-law Vivian Mavredakis and Patricia Pastis as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Trisagion will take place Sunday, January 3rd, 2016 at 7 pm at Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church, 778 South Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena.  The funeral will also take place at Saint Anthony's on Monday, January 4th, 2016 at 10 am. Interment will follow directly at San Gabriel Cemetery followed by the makaria at Saint Anthony's.

Please make donations in his memory to either IOCC, International Orthodox Christian Charities, 110 West Road, Suite 360, Baltimore, MD 21204 or to Kids 'n' Cancer, Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos, P.O. Box 230516, Encinitas, CA 92023.

A video from Pan Xanthos' belated 90th Birthday Party in Arcadia, California on September 13, 2014. youtube.com/watch?v=XD3BTwSvtjI

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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