JAMES STRATEGOS

James was born on September 5th, 1942, in Los Angeles California to Emmanuel and Stephanie Strategos and grew up in Beverly Hills, California. On September 28th, 1959, he joined the Army and was trained as a Medical Corpsman serving in medical units in Korea and Fort Carson, Colorado, and was honorably discharged with the rank of SP4 E-4 on September 27th, 1962. James met and then married the love of his life Candess on July 31st, 1966, after a three-month courtship, a marriage that lasted 55 years. Their union produced four sons, Emmanuel, Stephen, Jimmy and Paul, and they made their life in Southern California. He worked as a truck driver for over 40 years, a job that he took seriously and through his respect for hard work, inspired his family to also value and be grateful for honest work; he would always tell us that “you don’t have to go to work, you get to go to work”.

James and Candess had many grandchildren and a great granddaughter and had influence in raising other young people inspiring them to become family focused and productive in their lives.

James is predeceased by his Parents, his beloved wife Candess, as well as his precious son Jimmy and two brothers, Eugene and Evan. He is survived by his sons, Emmanuel, Stephen and Paul and their wives, Erin, Nicole and Jami. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Demetrius, Elias, Andrea, Isaiah, Marianna, Hannah, Lydia, Lukia, Leah, Constantine, John, Abby, Benjamin and great -granddaughter Stella. His sister, Margurite and brother Charles as well as his cousin Georgia will also miss him deeply.

Very few people actually become the very thing they most want to be in this life. James and Candess wanted nothing more than to be married and to raise children who place family and faith above all else.

There will be a Trisagion service at 6:00pm on Friday February 7th followed by a Funeral service on Saturday, February 8th at 10:00am, both at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 401 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, Ca. A graveside will be held at Hillcrest immediately following the Funeral. Please join us if you are able for a luncheon at Saint George after the gravesite. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in his memory.