Theo George Thevaos, M.D.

Theo George Thevaos, M.D., “Bones” to his fellow Star Trekkers, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 97 on September 16, 2022, at White Oak of Waxhaw.
He was born on October 22, 1924, in Augusta, GA to George Thevaos and Helen Antonopoulos Thevaos.
Born and raised in Augusta, Ga, he grew up in the “Pinched Gut” area of downtown. A proud alumnus of Richmond Academy, he was valedictorian, Gold “R”, ROTC, Basketball, Debate Team and President of the Beta Club. He then went to Augusta College, where he was also valedictorian and subsequently graduated from the Medical College of Georgia and remained a proud member of the Class of 1948. He completed his Residency in Pediatrics at MCG.
In 1955, he married the love of his life, Artemisia Dennis Thevaos, and they had 63 wonderful years together living in Augusta. For 40 years, he served as Physician-in-Chief at Gracewood State School and Hospital overseeing the care of children and adults with severe neurologic diseases and impairments. Concurrently, he served on the Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology Faculty at MCG, teaching students and residents in those clinics. He oversaw the medical student rotation at Gracewood where an estimated +1000 MCG externs were trained during his career. Upon residency graduation, he was offered several opportunities for private practice but instead chose to serve those with severe disability and underserved. When asked why, his answer was, “Well, when my mother was giving birth to me, there were complications. Had it not been for the skill of her obstetrician in performing one of the first Cesarean sections in Augusta, I would have been a patient at Gracewood instead of a doctor there.” He received Distinguished Service Awards from both the State of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia.
He proudly served in the United States Navy as a corpsman during WWII and then as a Medical Officer (Lieutenant) during the Korean War. Assigned to the 6th Fleet (Mediterranean), he served with a Destroyer Squadron under the command of Rear Adm. Daniel Gallery. As the only Greek-American officer on hand, he became the Admiral’s translator when meeting with Greek dignitaries in Crete and in Istanbul during an audience with His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras.
A life-long learner and teacher, he loved books of all kinds, especially church history. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Masters Tournament where he had served as a gallery guard in high school and was able to watch his hero, Bobby Jones. He was instrumental in promoting the Augusta Table Tennis Classic and the National Barrel Racing Association events. A patron of the arts, he served on the Boards of the Augusta Symphony, Augusta Ballet, and Augusta Opera at various times. His biggest patronage though, was attending every concert his wife Artie and duo-piano partner, Lydia Porro-Milham gave throughout their illustrious careers.
He served Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta in many capacities, including Parish Council President. His civic participation included the Evening Optimist Club, the Alumni Associations of Augusta College and the Medical College of Georgia and he was a lifetime member of the Order of AHEPA.
He is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Celia Thevaos, his grand-daughters, Mary-Emma and Caroline, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved dearly. Predeceasing him are his parents, his wife, Artemisia “Artie”, and his brother, Dr. Deno Thevaos.
He treated everyone with kindness, tried to find the good in all things and was able to fully live by the Creed of the Optimist Club:
• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
• To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
• To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
• To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Visitation will be on Monday, September 19, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd, Augusta, GA 30907. Trisagion Service will be held at 7:00 pm that evening.
Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 953 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901. Rev. Vasile Bitere, Presiding Priest. Interment will be at Magnolia Cemetery. Fellowship meal to follow for those who wish to attend.
Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Augusta, GA, https://www.holytrinityaugusta.org Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral Altar Fund, Charlotte, NC, https://htgo.org/ or the charity of your choice.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Waltonwood Providence, White Oak of Waxhaw, Bayada Home Care, and the doctors, nurses, and staff of Novant Health.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com