Harry Kotellos

West Point, 1956

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by kevin kotellos on May 31, 2022:

Harry Kotellos, 88, passed away on April 5, 2021, from congestive heart failure. Harry was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, to Zacharias and Katina Kotellos. He grew up the middle child, alongside his brothers John, Mike, and Tony. After High School, he met Jean Doyle, who was attending nursing school. They dated through college and married after graduation. They were married for 62 years, until Jean passed away in 2019. Harry graduated from West Point in 1956 and joined the Air Force. He and Jean moved to Arizona so that Harry could begin flight training. Harry became a pilot in the USAF and loved flying more than anything. He flew KC-135 refueling planes in Puerto Rico during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and he was qualified to fly "anything he wanted" in his tour of Vietnam, including propellor fighters, and helicopters. During his military career, Harry earned Masters degrees in engineering and business. Harry was a true extrovert. He loved his friends and loved to bring friends together for small lunches and big parties. He and Jean hosted many parties for friends old and new as they moved around the country. Harry taught his wife Jean how to golf while stationed at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, and together they spent much of their spare time golfing on courses all over the country. In retirement, golfing was the primary focus of their lives. They retired in Hilton Head so that they could golf daily. They did. Harry also taught his children and grandchildren the basics of golf and they hope to carry on the legacy of Kotellos golf. Harry is survived by his children Kathi, Kevin, Ellen, Kristin, and Doyle, as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in passing by his son, Billy, and his wife Jean. Regina Ann Doyle Kotellos (Jean), son of William Doyle and Esther Doyle, was born July 6, 1933 in Bellaire, Ohio and died on September 24, 2019, at the age of 86. She is preceded by her brothers and sisters, William, James, Mary Ellen, Jo Ann, and Katherine. Jean is also preceded by her son William (Billy, wife Anita, and children Meghann, Matthew, Jared and Grace). She is survived by her five children, Kathi Kotellos (husband Randy, children Zachary, Kaiya), Kevin Kotellos (wife Dawn, children Cameron, Marisa), Ellen Kotellos (children Nicholas), Kristin Kotellos, and Doyle Kotellos (children Sasha, Tiffany). Jean also has three great grandchildren. Jean's occupation as a Registered Nurse early in her career, was complemented by being an avid championship golfer (at a time when there were very few women golfers), as well as being a top-notch, 200+ bowler. During a charity golf exhibition at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, Chi Chi Rodriquez selected Jean to participate in several swing demonstrations. In one instance, Jean was on her back with a tee in her mouth while Chi Chi placed a golf ball on the tee and drove the ball down the fairway. Jean was terrified. Often times when Harry was traveling and golfing on business, Jean would travel with him and play in golf tournaments, many of which she won. She loved playing UNO and Dominos with her family and Bridge with her friends. Jean's love of dogs began on a golf course in Puerto Rico when she found an abandoned newborn puppy in the "rough". Her dog loving nature extended throughout her life, raising Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, and the mixed breed that she found on the golf course. In addition to being a mother of six children, Jean was a gallant military wife while Harry was an pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Service and burial with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Both Jean and Harry will be interred together at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a contribution to the Gateway Behavioral Health Services, Attention: Reed House, 6 Mall Court, Savannah, GA, 31406, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of the Low Country (namilowcountry.org). Harry's son Doyle currently receives amazing services from Gateway-Reed House, and NAMI of the Low Country was Harry's favorite charity.

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