Obituary of Jordan Pappas

Jordan Cyrille Pappas, 86, of Van Voorhis Rd., Morgantown, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Monongalia General Hospital of Morgantown, WV.He was born December 2, 1922 in Wheeling, son of the late Cyrille and Evelyn Cosmides Pappas.Mr. Pappas graduated from West Virginia University where he obtained a Bachelorâs Degree in Accounting and Finance, and in 1942, graduated from the West Virginia School of Law in 1948. He was an Accounting Professor at West Virginia University while he began establishing his tax practice. He was also one of the founding charter members of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at West Virginia University.A veteran of the United States Army during World War II, he obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He served with the 80th Division (Blue Ridge Division), where he took part in the first wave of the Utah Beach Campaign in Northern France as a platoon leader. Their job was to secure ground in advance of General Pattonâs Super 6th Armored Division, which then advanced into Lorraine, France where Mr. Pappas remained in combat duty for two years. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster and numerous other commendations for his service.He was one of the founding fathers of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Morgantown.He spent 60 years of his life in private practice as a Certified Public Accountant. He was a member of the West Virginia State Bar Association Past President of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants Past President and former Chairman of the Board for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Morgantown and Past President of Farmers and Merchants Bank, which later became One Valley Bank.Mr. Pappas was a renowned taxpayer advocate, having litigated cases in both the US Tax Court and the US Supreme Court.Survivors include his wife of nearly 61 years, Stella Rettos Pappas, whom he married June 6, 1948 two children, Keith Pappas and his wife Susan of Morgantown, and Lynne Leif and her husband Fred of Jacksonville, FL two grandchildren, Stefanie Leif of Ketchum, Idaho and Elle A. Pappas of Morgantown and one sister, Stella Plesko and her husband George of Canton, OH.Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Sunday, August 16 from 4-7 PM. A Trisagian service will be held at 6:30 PM Sunday to conclude the visitation. On Monday, Mr. Pappas will be moved to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 447 Spruce St., Morgantown, where visitation will continue from 9:30 â" 10:30 AM. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Monday morning in the church Father David Shaw officiating. Interment will be held at 1:30 PM Monday afternoon in West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown where full military honors will be accorded at the graveside.