Obituary - Colonel James Arthur VelezisApril 10, 1939 – July 23, 2023 |
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Col. James Arthur Velezis, USA Ret., survived many battles in his lifetime. First as a child in his birthland, Greece, and later during his 30-year career in the U.S. Army (with two tours each in Germany and Vietnam and one tour in Korea), but the final battle with cancer took his life on July 23, 2023. James was an unconditionally loving and devoted husband and father driven by service to his country, family, church, and community (yes, in that order!). He took service for his country very seriously as an  immigrant from Greece, and never a day would go by that he didn't honor those who lost their lives for our freedom. James had many accomplishments in life — no need to list them here— except for his most prized one: the family he created with Ramona (luckily the right one who showed up to a blind date almost sixty years ago) and with whom he shared the moments worth capturing for eternity in his loved ones' hearts. At the time of his death, his family took great comfort that he departed with enough time to get his reserved seat to his first church service in Heaven — the man was never late for anything — and proved that with the timing of his last breath.
James was born in Eptahori, Greece, on April 10, 1939, the son of the late Athanasios and Martha A. Velezis. Not without a valiant fight, James is survived by his wife, Ramona J. Velezis; children Theodora J. Black, Martha J. Velezis, and Alexander J. Velezis. He fought hard to stick around to enjoy more moments with his grandsons, Chad A. Velezis and Samuel T. Black, who meant the world to him. James was the second of five children and is survived by his siblings in Connecticut, Elpiniki Gagas, George A. Velezis, Paul (Sonia) A. Velezis and sister-in-law, Efterpy Velezis and joins his predeceased brother, Nick A. Velezis; brother-in-law, Steven J. Gagas; and sister-in-law, Helena F. Velezis. He leaves behind many godchildren, nephews and church friends (most notable are his bowling and lunch-time buddies). His remains have been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. |
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