Gus Sam Mijalis

Gus Sam Mijalis passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at the age of 83, surrounded by his family and close friends. There will be a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home located at 1815 Marshall Street. A Trisagion service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church located at 1719 Creswell. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery located on Stoner Avenue. Father John Krokos will officiate. Mr. Mijalis was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on June 11, 1934, to Sam Alex and Evangeline Cosse Mijalis. He was a 1952 graduate of C.E. Byrd High School. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1956, graduating number one in his class. While attending Texas A&M, he was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, was a Senior Yell Leader, Cadet Major, Distinguished Military Student, Member of Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity and Honorary Scholastic Society, and Vice President of the Texas Intercollegiate Student Association. He also was enrolled in the ROTC Program and received his commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Upon graduation, Mr. Mijalis was employed by E.M. Freeman & Associates in Shreveport as a civil engineer. In 1956, he was called to active duty by the United States Air Force, initially being assigned to Bordeaux Air Force Base in France. He served as a base engineer and ultimately completed his three year tour of active duty with the rank of 1^st Lieutenant at Rheinmain Air Force Base in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1959, Mr. Mijalis received an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain and sought business opportunities in Europe. In 1961, at the urging of his late brother, Alex, he returned to Shreveport to assume the responsibilities of jointly operating the family business, Farmers Seafood Company, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Bank of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of Gator Distributors, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of National Republic Life Insurance Company. Mr. Mijalis was committed to public service, including serving as President and Chairman of the Board of the National Fisheries Institute, receiving the organization's "Person of the Year" award in 1981, 4^th District Regent for the Louisiana State Board of Regents, 4^th District Commissioner of the Louisiana State Racing Commission, and as a member of both the National Associations of Racing Commissions and the Aggie Club of Texas A&M University, where he served as its president. Mr. Mijalis was also active in numerous civic and community affairs. He served on the Board of Directors of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church and President of its Parish Council. He was a 32^nd Degree Mason and also a member of the Order of AHEPA, Optimist Club, American Legion, 40 & 8 Club, the Shriners, East Ridge Country Club, Shreveport Country Club, University Club, and North Louisiana Texas A&M Club. Mr. Mijalis loved to cook, hunt, travel and play golf and went out of his way to entertain family and friends in these endeavors. He enjoyed attending football games at his alma mater, Texas A&M University. Uncle Gus, as he was known to most, was happiest when he was able to spend time with his family. While he never entered a room too big and loved being the center of attention, he also worked quietly behind the scenes in support of many people and organizations over the years without fanfare or recognition. His legacy will live on through those he impacted with his one-of-a-kind laugh, big smile and his countless acts of kindness and generosity. Mr. Mijalis was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Alex Mijalis and Spiro Mijalis, and his niece, Evelyn Stravolemos. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Stacy Anderson Mijalis. He is also survived by his sister, Alice Stravolemos and husband Emanuel; in-laws Bob Anderson and wife Margie; sisters-in-law Mary Mijalis and Susan and husband, Ryan Wicker; his nephews and their wives, Sammy Mijalis and Debby Birky, John Mijalis and Lily, and James Mijalis and Angela; his niece Patti and husband, John Robertson; grandnieces and nephews, Marie Lipsky and husband Scott, Jeanne Baca and husband Juraj, Alexander Mijalis and wife Daphne, Andrew Mijalis and wife Carmen, Dean Mijalis and wife Stephanie, Alex Mijalis, Eleni Mijalis, Jay Robertson and wife Morgan, Tyler Robertson and wife Maggie, Madison and Miller Shuey, Courtney Smith and husband Justin and Hunter Birky and wife Courtney; and numerous great-grandnephews and nieces and special friend, Jessie James. Honoring Mr. Mijalis as pallbearers will be Juraj Baca, Hunter Birky, Richard Lamb, Scott Lipsky, Alexander Mijalis, Alex Mijalis, Andrew Mijalis, Dean Mijalis, Aaron Poole, Miller Shuey and Ryan Wicker. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Albert Barro, Pat Branch, Foster Campbell, Roy Dickerson, Edwin Edwards, Thomas P. Gallagher, John Georges, Jerry Hawkins, John Kastanos, James Madden, George Mitchell, William O'Brien, III, Ernest Palmisano, Fred Phillips, Ron Roberts, Robbie Robertson, Joe Rogers, John Shockey, Dan Swearingin, Greg Tarver, Byrum Teekell, Billy Trotter, Chris Whittington and David Wicker. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Joseph Rogers and wife Katina, Dr. Alan Borne, Dr. Donald Elmajian, Dr. Chuck Fox, Dr. Ghali Ghali, Dr. Herbert Master, Dr. James Morris, Dr. Keith Scott and wife Chris. The family is also very grateful for the loving care provided by the wonderful staff at Duke University Health System and University Health of Shreveport and special caregivers, Paula Lawless and Louise Bedford. The family would also like to recognize his longtime assistant, Kari Ballard, and all the employees of Farmers Seafood Company, for their loyalty through the years. The family suggests memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 1719 Creswell, Shreveport, LA 71101, Holy Angels, 10450 Ellerbe Rd, Shreveport, LA 71106, or Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center, 601 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA. 71101.