John T. Zaharopoulos Jr.

December 2, 1950-September 15, 2021

In Loving Memory of John Thomas Zaharopoulos Jr. who went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. John was born in Akron, Ohio and graduated from Revere High School. He briefly attended the University of Akron before deciding to join the family business, Western Fruit and Candy Co. His Grandfather who had immigrated from Greece, founded the Western Fruit Basket in downtown Akron. John’s father diversified from the original business to start a produce company called Western Fruit & Candy Company, where John worked for over a decade. When his father sold the company, John worked for various trucking companies and truly loved being out on the open road. Upon closure of Consolidated Freightways in Richfield, he decided to try his skills as a school bus driver for Revere Schools, where he happily worked until his final days. His hobbies included riding his motorcycle to Amish country, taking care of his beloved cat “Kitty” and going to Chuck E. Cheese with his grandson. He enjoyed cheering on the Cleveland Browns over the years and had hoped to see them make it to the Super Bowl. John was a friend to many and made people laugh often. He especially enjoyed talking shop and discussing yard work with his good friend “Randy the Mechanic at the Bus Garage,” as he so fondly would call him. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Cora Zaharopoulos and wife Karen Zaharopoulos. He will lovingly be remembered and missed by his daughter, Angela (Dean) Szabo; son, John, III (Brittany) Zaharopoulos; stepsons, Shawn (Jessica) Nelson and Troy Nelson; stepdaughter, Terilyn Nelson-Smith (Jonathon) Smith; grandchildren, Anthony Szabo, Tyler and Ella Zaharopoulos, Samantha Nelson, Trystan Nelson, Alyssa and Austyn Smith; brother, Tom (Liz) Zaharopoulos and Cathy (Carl) Soulier as well as nieces and nephews. A graveside gathering of friends and family to celebrate John’s life will be held Wednesday, September 22nd @ 1 p.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Park (Section V, Lot 407, Grave 4) with Rev. Rod Grabski officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to K-Dogs Kidz Mission at kdogskidz.com or One of a Kind Pets, eofakindpets.com.

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