Jim Kraios

Jim "Jimmy the Greek" G. Kraios 72, Indianapolis, died Mon. March 30, 2009 after battling lung cancer. He was born Dimitrios Kraios on May 25, 1936 in the village of Xino-Nero, Florina, Greece to Gregory and Zacharoula "Zafka" Kraios. He attended school for five years before working with his father and brother on the family farm until he was of age. He then served in the Greek Army and returned to the farm before immigrating to the United States in 1967, fulfilling a childhood dream of leaving the village for a better life. He became a US citizen on Flag Day in 1973. After evening courses at Tech High School and smaller Tool & Dye jobs, he went to work at BDPBryant Heating & Air. Eventually "Jimmy the Greek" retired as a Punch Press Operator from Bryant Heating & Air, a division of Carrier Corp. and United Technologies, after 33 years with a record of no absences. He was a member of United Steelworkers of America Local 1999. By far, his proudest achievements were his two boys, Gregory and Michael, his lawn and tomato & pepper garden. He was preceded in death by sister, Andromache Kraios Gigas and first cousin Helen Nickoloff. He is survived by sons Gregory and Michael Kraios, brother Michael (Evangelia) Kraios, sister Vasiliki "Vasa" (Trifon) Poptsis, nephews Gregory and Panagiotis "Taki" Kraios, all of Xino-Nero, Greece and niece Niki (Apostolos) Vroikos and her daughter Konstantina, of Thessaloniki, Greece,and Elaine Kraios and first cousin Macie Harson. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009 at St. Stephen Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, with calling beginning at 10:30 a.m.. and showing from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3 at Stevens Mortuary. Burial at Crown Hill Cemetery. www. stevensmortuary.net