Pete Harris Pappas was born in Dallas, Texas, to Demetra and H.D. Pappas. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and attended the University of Texas. In 1941, he purchased the Piccadilly Restaurant in Grand Prairie, Texas. He later sold the restaurant when he joined the United States Air Force where he served as a Master Sergeant during WWII. In 1946, he moved to Houston with his brothers, and founded the Pappas Refrigeration Company. He held numerous patents on equipment that he developed and sold. In 1967, he re-entered the restaurant business, opening the Dot Coffee Shop in Houston and later, founding Pappas Restaurants with his brothers and nephews. Through the years, the company has grown to include over eighty restaurants. The real estate side of the business remained his lifelong passion. A mentor to many in the restaurant and real estate communities, he was once quoted as saying that he was "happiest when making a business deal." He was a recreational pilot with a lifetime love of flying and later enjoyed boating, especially in Florida where he and his wife spent much of their time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Demetra and H.D. Pappas; infant son, Pete H. Pappas, Jr.; brothers, George H., Tom H. and James H. Pappas; nephew, Gregory J. Pappas. He is survived by Helen Lucas Pappas, his loving wife of 48 years; two daughters and sons-in-law, four grandchildren, four sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the devoted care of Ella and the staff of Fondren 12th Floor, Methodist Hospital.
Trisagion Prayer Service was on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Funeral services were on Wednesday, December 21, 2005, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorials be directed to The Star of Hope and the Ronald McDonald House.
From the Houston Chronicle, December 20 to December 21, 2005
He was preceded in death by his parents, Demetra and H.D. Pappas; infant son, Pete H. Pappas, Jr.; brothers, George H., Tom H. and James H. Pappas; nephew, Gregory J. Pappas. He is survived by Helen Lucas Pappas, his loving wife of 48 years; two daughters and sons-in-law, four grandchildren, four sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the devoted care of Ella and the staff of Fondren 12th Floor, Methodist Hospital.
Trisagion Prayer Service was on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Funeral services were on Wednesday, December 21, 2005, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorials be directed to The Star of Hope and the Ronald McDonald House.
From the Houston Chronicle, December 20 to December 21, 2005
Pete Harris Pappas was born in Dallas, Texas, to Demetra and H.D. Pappas. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and attended the University of Texas. In 1941, he purchased the Piccadilly Restaurant in Grand Prairie, Texas. He later sold the restaurant when he joined the United States Air Force where he served as a Master Sergeant during WWII. In 1946, he moved to Houston with his brothers, and founded the Pappas Refrigeration Company. He held numerous patents on equipment that he developed and sold. In 1967, he re-entered the restaurant business, opening the Dot Coffee Shop in Houston and later, founding Pappas Restaurants with his brothers and nephews. Through the years, the company has grown to include over eighty restaurants. The real estate side of the business remained his lifelong passion. A mentor to many in the restaurant and real estate communities, he was once quoted as saying that he was "happiest when making a business deal." He was a recreational pilot with a lifetime love of flying and later enjoyed boating, especially in Florida where he and his wife spent much of their time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Demetra and H.D. Pappas; infant son, Pete H. Pappas, Jr.; brothers, George H., Tom H. and James H. Pappas; nephew, Gregory J. Pappas. He is survived by Helen Lucas Pappas, his loving wife of 48 years; two daughters and sons-in-law, four grandchildren, four sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the devoted care of Ella and the staff of Fondren 12th Floor, Methodist Hospital.
Trisagion Prayer Service was on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Funeral services were on Wednesday, December 21, 2005, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorials be directed to The Star of Hope and the Ronald McDonald House.
From the Houston Chronicle, December 20 to December 21, 2005
He was preceded in death by his parents, Demetra and H.D. Pappas; infant son, Pete H. Pappas, Jr.; brothers, George H., Tom H. and James H. Pappas; nephew, Gregory J. Pappas. He is survived by Helen Lucas Pappas, his loving wife of 48 years; two daughters and sons-in-law, four grandchildren, four sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the devoted care of Ella and the staff of Fondren 12th Floor, Methodist Hospital.
Trisagion Prayer Service was on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Funeral services were on Wednesday, December 21, 2005, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorials be directed to The Star of Hope and the Ronald McDonald House.
From the Houston Chronicle, December 20 to December 21, 2005
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