Theodore Demetrius Katemopoulos' Obituary
Remembering TheodoreTheodore Demetrius Katemopoulos (September 23, 1921 to February 15, 2017) was born in Shanghai, China. One of seven children, Theodore—nicknamed “Toto” by his family—grew up in the comfort afforded by the family’s dry goods store. Summers were spent vacationing in Japan, in the hometown of his mother, spending long days swimming, fishing, and enjoying the gamut of outdoor activities.A student at Public and Thomas Hanbury School for Boys in Shanghai, Theodore was proud to serve as a prefect. He was fully engaged in the school’s athletic programs, where he participated in swimming, cricket, track & field and his greatest passion, soccer.Some years later, Theodore would meet Mildred O’Leary, a young lady whom he met at a dance. They married on Mildred’s 21st birthday in 1945, settling in one of the Katemopoulos family homes. Soon thereafter, they welcomed daughter Maureen. The communist takeover prompted the young family to flee Shanghai and seek refuge in Hong Kong. Mildred and Theodore went on to have four more children there—Eileen, Kathryn, Paul, and Anne-Marie. Their late son, Paul, passed away in 1997.Theodore worked for Shewan Tomes Traders, an import-export company; as such, he was able to travel throughout Europe and Asia on business, building friendships that endured long after the business deals had closed. Upon his retirement, Theodore opened his own company, TheoKay, which he operated for some years until he came to the United States in the 1990s.Theodore was well-known for his late-night television viewing; he loved watching action movies, specifically those with war themes. Later in life, he would become fascinated with movie musicals, in particular “Singing in the Rain” and “The Sound of Music.” “The Lawrence Welk Show” was also a favorite, with many episodes saved on VHS tape and the DVR to watch again! Theodore greatly enjoyed the familiar tunes, dancing in his chair with the show’s dancers, and conducting the music along with Mr. Welk.A worshipper of the sun, Theodore loved taking “sunbaths,” and spent many a happy hour outdoors basking in the sunshine. He would putter around the yard, picking up leaves and keeping the yard neat and tidy. Almost every day, as he came into the kitchen for breakfast, he would look out of the window and exclaim, “what a beautiful day!” Even on overcast days, Theodore would never cease to admire the beauty in the world; it was one of his most endearing qualities.Theodore was the world’s best pen-pal! He spent many hours daily writing letters to friends worldwide, covering the gamut of subjects from politics to family, and everything in between. He also maintained his voracious appetite for news, reading the local paper from cover to cover and following local as well as international news stories; once computer technology came along, he learned how to read the news online, eventually establishing his own email account with which to keep in touch with friends.Theodore was a great conversationalist and would stop and speak with anyone who might have the time to spend chatting. He particularly loved interacting with children; the pure delight on his face—often mirrored on theirs—was a joy to behold.Theodore truly embraced life. His athleticism as a young man served as the foundation for a long, healthy life, one in which he was active and independent throughout. He never stopped giving thanks for his blessings, and his sweet, kind manner charmed all those around him! A most generous man, Theodore never failed to have compassion for the less fortunate, and gave generously to those who needed it the most.Theodore passed away peacefully on February 15, 2017 in San Jose. He is survived by his daughters.
What’s your fondest memory of Theodore?
What’s a lesson you learned from Theodore?
Share a story where Theodore's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Theodore you’ll never forget.
How did Theodore make you smile?