Birmingham News (AL)
July 4, 2003; p 8-D
"Famous Ted" fell asleep in the Lord June 30, 2003. Born July 8, 1929 Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His parents, John Theodore Vlahos, of Zarafona, Sparta, Greece, and Helena Pappanastas of Karitina, Greece, settled along the Gulf Coast in the 1930's. Ted was "All Southern/All Conference" and "Big 8 Squad of '47" for the Pascagoula Panthers football team. Self-taught at discus, shotput, and javelin, some of his high school track records stood for over 40 years. Two years at Perkinston JC; a football scholarship to Ole Miss; shortly after, he joined the U.S. Air Force stationed overseas. He was drafted by the then New York Giants - but did not receive the letter until he returned stateside - three years later. In Germany, with the Ramstein Rams, he was a "1958 All-USAF Squad". In 1965 and 1967, he was awarded two Bronze Stars for service in Vietnam at Da Nang and Bien Hoa. On off days, he volunteered at orphanages. Ted's military service to his country spanned 20 years.
Settled in Birmingham in 1981, he opened "Famous Ted Pizza" with his son Alex, his brother George, and friend Phil Noto. Its hometown success was a source of tremendous pride. Theodore's greatest love was of family and especially fishing the Gulf with his six grandsons.
Survived by: his wife, Nancy Boone Vlahos; Daughters, Janie Vlahos, La Jolla, CA, Tina Lambert, Cassis, France, Melissa Asfour, New Orleans, LA; Son, Alex Vlahos, Birmingham, AL; Grandsons, Alaric, Maxime, and Raphael Lambert, Phillip and Stephen Vlahos, Sami Asfour; Sisters, Bessie Vlahos, Angeline Petratos, predeceased by Mary Catis; Brothers, Ernest and George Vlahos; First wife, Marie Faulkner Vlahos; Family and Friends in Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, California, and Alabama; his pool buddies at Lakeshore; Famous Fred; his Church and his community.
Services: Saturday, July 5th, 2003. Visitation at 2:00pm. Service: 3:00pm. Makaria to follow. Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th Street South. Father Nabil Fino officiating. Funeral Home: Jefferson Memorial, Hoover directing (987-0608). Burial at Arlington National Cemetery, VA July 17th.
