Peter Tavoularis is the eldest child and only son of Maria and George Tavoularis. As is tradition, he was named after George's father – Panayotis or Peter. Being the only grandson born from one of his own sons, when news reached Karea, George's village, that a grandson was born, George's father found a grenade and in celebration threw it. When others in the village asked Panayotis why he was celebrating, they took out their guns and starting shooting in the air to cheer the new male heir. And from then on Peter was celebrated.

Peter was rumbustious and fun-loving who spent time in Greece as a child and left quite the impression with the Tavoularis family there. Till this day we hear funny stories of what Peter did as a child in Greece.

He was also a jokester and prankster in school which makes the fact that he ended up being a teacher a truly fun fact. His teachers always told George and Maria at Open House "Peter is very ummm ... active." Peter participated in Greek Dancing and Greek School, where he didn't dare try those antics where his Teacher was the Priest.

His sister Sperry, only 17 months younger, often took a side eye from teachers who had Peter in their class the year before. Many could not believe that Peter and Sperry were related. Sperry the proper young lady and Peter the troublemaker. Always wanting to protect her brother, Sperry would wait for the mailman so she could hide Peter's report card from their parents.

He attended United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois and was the Quarterback of the Panthers Football Team. On his first day of school as a Freshman he got into a fist fight after someone tried to force drugs on him. Peter was immediately suspended ... until his Mother got involved. He then received an apology.

Peter attended the University of Iowa where he was a devoted Hawkeye fan attending any games he could across the country. He would join Hawkeyes Fan Clubs wherever he was to watch games with fellow alumni. He often took his Father along. He completed his Master Degree in Education at Concordia University and taught at UCI.

The students at Orange High called him 'Coach T' and he was frequently voted "favorite teacher" by the students and was known for his sense of humor in class. He was also very involved with students after they graduated. He was very proud he was the High School Tennis Coach for Stevie Johnson who now is a professional Tennis Player. Peter always bragged about Stevie and his family. Peter worked tirelessly with the City of Orange to get the Orange High School Tennis courts refurbished. The students loved Coach T and he loved them. They were his kids and Pete's family love hearing the stories of the inspiration and mentorship that Pete provided.

Peter also was a "yuge" fan of President Trump and the Republican Party. We know he is casting his vote in Heaven this year. The Tavoularis' love of politics can be traced to Peter who at 11 years old received a letter of commendation from President Gerald Ford, we are not quite sure why, but we remember it. As Peter would later say, "after the malaise days of Jimmy Carter we welcomed Ronald Reagan as President." He loved Ronald Reagan. He volunteered for Reagan while he went to the University of Iowa and spoke proudly of Reagan whenever he could.

After college, Peter worked in the food industry and lived in Chicago for many years traveling the Midwest. He decided to join the rest of his family in California where they had moved and he quickly made friends. He decided to start being a substitute Teacher and found his calling and went into teaching, staying at Orange High for eighteen years.

He hosted Congresswoman Mary Bono, Congressman Ed Royce, various Councilmen to his classroom to teach his students about politics from actual politicians.

In 2008 when his sister Kathy ran the California Delegation to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Peter came up with a great idea of organizing a youth delegate program with his school. Graduating Seniors had to compete to attend. 10 winning students came to the convention, worked as volunteers and got to enjoy all the benefits of being a real delegate. They had soo much good press for this program other states wanted to copy the program. Peter served as a Delegate for John McCain as well and the appointed guardian for the program

In 2012 Kathy ran the California Delegation to the National Convention in Tampa, Peter again ran the Youth Delegate program with twenty students with great success and served as an Alternate Delegate for Mitt Romney. Youth Delegates who came to the convention, worked as volunteers and enjoyed all the benefits of being a real delegate. Again, soo much good press was generated for this program the Republican National Committee called and asked how it was done. Peter loved this program and the kids loved Peter. Peter and Kathy were disappointed the program didn't live on in 2016.

Peter loved his mother and father dearly. Always looking after them before looking after himself. He often came by after teaching to share a Starbucks or to watch FoxNews together with his parents. He would take them to all the Greek Festivals around southern California every year with great joy and plenty of Gyro sandwiches.

Peter loved Sports, particularly the Chicago Bears (his favorite player of Walter Peyton) the Chicago Cubs (he got to see the Cubbies finally win a World Series in 2016) and interestingly the Boston Celtics (because of Larry Bird) and shared his love of sports with anyone who would listen. And he was known for a keen sweet tooth ... especially chocolate ... anything with chocolate.

Peter loved history. He loved American history the most and knew facts about the Founding Fathers and would talk your ear off about historical facts whether you were interested or not. Peter loved America and was proud to have been a naturalized citizen.

He also loved to laugh. He could quote lines from his favorite movies, Caddyshack, Used Cars and Anchorman and TV shows such as Seinfeld and The Simpsons. If Peter couldn't quote Homer Simpson, no one could. When Peter started a story, he wouldn't stop. He loved to share laughter and silliness.

Peter is survived by his Mother and Father, Sister Sperry, Sister Kathy, Brother-In-Law Pano and his two beloved nieces Daria and Taia.

The family thanks you for your kindness and prayers.

Keep laughing

Trisagion will be at 7pm on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California. Funeral service will be at 10am on Friday, October 16, 2020, also at Saint John Church. The service will also be live streamed on the church's Facebook page. If attending, please wear a mask and follow the parish's safety instructions. Interment will be private at a later date at Forest Lawn in Cypress, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association or Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California.

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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