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View a eulogy for John Glimis Pappas, USMA '66, who passed away on October 9, 2012.

John Glimis Pappas

West Point, 1966

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by William Stalker on February 5, 2014:

I met John in 1962 when we started our plebe year at West Point. We were both 18 years old. We became great friends as we were in the same company all four years and we were roommates during cow year. I remember John counting his falling hairs in the sink as he was worried about going bald. He even got some demerits for leaving hair in the sink. He soon bought a rubber cap and some special oil and he would oil up his head and put the rubber cap on and sleep in it so his hair would regrow. Unfortunately, male pattern baldness prevailed.

After graduation, we were both assigned to a HAWK missile battalion in Florida and became roommates again. We roamed south Florida together for a year and a half and had a wonderful time doing it. John was a caregiver. He worried about everything including me and my shenanigans. John always tried to make things right and keep everyone happy. He never worried about himself so much as he did others.

John was kind and gentle. He was considerate of everyone and devoted to his family. He was one of the most honorable and straightforward men I have ever known.

We weren't in Vietnam together, but he told me about his exploits as a birddog pilot spotting enemy targets for engagement with artillery or airstrike. He had many close calls as the enemy knew what he was doing and were anxious to stop him.

John decided to go to Harvard Business School after his Army commitment was up. He did well but didn't care too much for the Wall Street hubbub, so he teamed up with his brother Nick to rebuild the diner that his father has started in Union City, New Jersey many years before. I saw John just about every year after that when I would go to New Jersey to see family and friends. He worked very hard at the diner and even started another one in Hackensack, New Jersey. He was happy to provide for his family and was delighted as Gregory, Diana, and Jason arrived in the Pappa's household.

John was a wonderful caring man whom I am glad I had the privilege of knowing for 50 years.

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