James Demetrios Mellos Jr.'s Obituary
James Demetrios Mellos, Jr., was born on March 7, 1931, and died on December 17, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Helen of 59 years, and his three children, James D. Mellos, III, Peter Mellos, and Stella Mellos-Stehly. He is now at rest after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s.
James was the youngest child of Demosthenes Demetrios Mellos and Stavroula Mellos. James was born in San Diego, California, of parents who immigrated from Kapsia, Greece. James lived the American dream. His parents came to the United States from Greece with nothing but hope for a better future. They opened Palomar Market in Mission Hills in 1927 with family. They survived prohibition, the depression, and numerous wars. They grew the business, and sent their three children to Grant Elementary, Horace Mann Junior High School, and then onto San Diego High School.
James was an athlete at Horace Mann Jr. High, and San Diego High School playing baseball and football. He found his love of football at San Diego High School under Coach Maley. He was the starting quarterback. After graduation from San Diego High School in 1948, James began his studies at City College, and played football under Coach Harry West. After concluding his studies at San Diego City College, he transferred to San Diego State. He was a business major, and played football. James left college just short of graduation when his father fell ill, and someone was needed to run the family business.
James went onto have a successful career in business with the family grocery store, Palomar Market, and other business investments. He operated Palomar Market with his wife and children by his side until selling it in 1998. While active in business, he was an active member of the community as part of the Uptown Planners and other advisory boards. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners and Scottish Rite Temple for almost seventy years. He was a member of the A.H.E.P.A.’s San Diego Chapter for over 60 years. He was an active member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, and a founding member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Additionally, he was a member of the Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego, Navy League of San Diego, the Corvette Club of San Diego. Supporting the community within which he lived and worked was important to James as a San Diego Native.
After retirement, James and Helen traveled the world, finally being able to enjoy all of the things he only read about while spending years working to provide for his family. When he was not traveling, he was a dotting grandfather to his five granddaughters, taking them to soccer games, Sea World, the Zoo, Disneyland, having lunch bunch, having sleep overs, and sneaking in ice cream and candy with them whenever he could!
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000. He struggled with the damaging impact it had on his body, with each year getting more difficult to move, and eventually losing his ability to speak the last two years. However, when doctors and nurses were ready to give up on him, his family never did. His son James and wife, Helen guided and cared for him throughout the most difficult parts of this horrible disease. His final days were spent at home surrounded by his family. He will be remembered by all for his laughter, the mischievous twinkle in his eye, and his smile.
James is survived by his wife, Helen Mellos, three children, James D. Mellos, III, Peter Mellos (Sherri), Stella Mellos-Stehly (Noel), and five beautiful granddaughters, Kaila (23), Calista (20), Eleni (19), Amalia (17), and Sophia (14).
May his memory be Eternal.
Trisagion Services will be held on December 29th at 6pm at Greenwood mortuary.
Funeral Services will be held on December 30th at 11am at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church
Burial will be private, limited to immediate family.
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