Jerry Gus Felos

Jerry Gus Felos, age 89, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015. He was born on January 25, 1926, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Gust and Georgia Felos. Jerry graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1947. He served his country with honor in World War II and the Korean War. After the wars, Jerry and his brother, Sam, took over Gus & Co., a shoe and luggage repair store, founded by their father and uncle in 1904. Gus & Co. has remained a fixture in downtown Jacksonville for over 100 years. Jerry loved his church and his family. He was a lifelong member of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church and served over 20 years on the Parish Council, holding offices including President. He received the Medal of St. Paul from His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos and was vested to the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which is the highest honor bestowed on a layman in the Greek Orthodox Church. He was selected as a recipient of the Archangel Michael Award in 2015. Jerry was also a committed member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) for over 60 years. He served in all offices of Socrates Chapter #6, including President, and was District Governor of Citrus District #2. He was also a charter member of the AHEPA Scholarship Committee.

Jerry was appointed by Mayor Hayden Burns to represent the City of Jacksonville in Athens, Greece, at the invitation of the Greek government for a meeting of the mayors of all major U.S. cities in 1956. He was appointed by Congressman Charles E. Bennett to represent the Greek Community at a meeting held by President Jimmy Carter at the White House to address the Cyprus situation. Jerry was appointed by Archbishop Iakovos on the original St. Photios National Shrine Committee and served for 10 years, including as President. Jerry also served on an Advisory Committee on Greek Studies at the University of Florida.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Mary Felos; brothers, Arthur, Chris, Dr. Pete, Sam, and William; and grandson, Jeremy Rios. Survivors include his loving daughters, Dena (wife of Keith Clay), Anna (wife of Wade Register), of Sandersville Georgia and Georgi (wife of Wayne McAllister); granddaughters, Alexis Clay, Erin Register, Kristen Register, and Ellen Rice; great-grandson, Isaac Rice; and nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A Trisagion service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at St. John the Divine, 3850 Atlantic Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida, 32207. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22, at St. John the Divine. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to St. John the Divine or the AHEPA Scholarship Fund.

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This is a courtesy announcement of May and Smith Funeral Directors.