In Memory & Honor of Denos "Gus" Carras February 12, 1931 - December 2, 2003 Denos "Gus" Carras, born in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 12, 1931, of Greek immigrant parents, passed away at his home in Whittier, California, on December 2, 2003, with Dorothy, his wife of nearly 44 years, by his side. Gus fought a lengthy battle with lung cancer that spread to the brain. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, with his parents and three brothers. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy and served as a combat veteran in the Korean War. In 1959, he came to Los Angles where he graduated from CSULA. In 1964, he moved from Glendale to Whittier with his wife and two sons. After working in private industry for several years, he became a State Labor Commissioner. He served in an Adjunct Professor in the Business Department for both Mount San Antonio and Rio Hondo College. He was in charge of enforcing labor laws for the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angles. He served as a Commissioner for Whittier City's Personnel Board and an arbitrator for Los Angles County Bar Association. He retired as Assistant Chief for California Division of Labor Enforcement in 1995. During his retirement years, he became fit at the Y, enjoyed spending time with his family, increased his community activities and actively pursued his interest in art, especially the painting of watercolor pictures. A couple of many paintings are on display today. He was proud to serve his community as President and General Manager of Rio Hondo Symphony and as a Board member and Treasure for Whittier Art Association. As a member and officer of the Whittier City's Cultural Arts Commission, he served on the following committees: Concerts in the Parks, First Night, Art in Public Places and Hollywood Bowl, and developed the Cultural Arts Coalition. He was Board member and Secretary for Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation. He was committed to the Whittier community and worked towards making Whittier a good place to live and raise families. He will be remembered by his wife, Dorothy, as a good and loving husband for consistently providing financial, physical and emotional support for his family. Sons, Steve and Mike,, daughter-in-law Patricia and daughter Christy and husband Paul, will remember him as a caring father who wanted only for the best for them. Granddaughter Samantha will not forget her grandpa's love and concern. His brothers, George Carras fro Mission, Kansas, Nick Carras from Springfield, Missouri and Jim Carras from Plano, Texas will miss him. Gus was very proud to be an American and enjoyed celebrating his citizenship. His family was very important to him and he appreciated how Whittier community made a home for a Greek boy from Kansas City. The family wants to thank the friends, neighbors and the community for their support during the past years as he waged his strong and courageous battle against hard-to-defeat cancer. |
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