Basil Kakavas

Basil Kakavas died in Kerrville, Texas on Sunday, January 15, 2017. He had been in the tender care of Peterson Hospice for almost a year.\r\n \r\nBasil and his wife, Ardath, moved to Kerrville from Illinois in June 1993.\r\n \r\nBasil was born in Elgin, Illinois on April 15, 1930. His father, Gus, had come to Illinois from Greece, along with three sons in the early 20th century. They settled and worked in Elgin. The parents of Basil's mother, Marie, came from Hungary. Esther and Gus met at a Hungarian picnic in Chicago, married and had two sons, Basil and Steve. As a teen, Basil worked in his father's business of cleaning hats and mending shoes. Basil helped by shining shoes for those who stopped by.\r\n \r\nBasil was a very good student in high school and received a scholarship to attend Northern Illinois University. He graduated in 1951 and enlisted in the Army. He served two years in Korea. \r\n \r\nAfter the war, Basil returned to Northern Illinois University to get a Masters degree. He met his first wife, Janet, there. After graduation, they married and moved to Michigan where they both taught. They had three children, Chris, Stephan, and Amy.\r\n \r\nThe family moved to Park Forest, Illinois where Basil had a long career teaching and serving as principal of Mohawk School. He was highly respected and liked by parents, children, and colleagues. Basil was invited to give workshops in schools around the country. He retired in 1992.\r\n \r\nBasil married Ardath Meeden in 1980. They moved to Kerrville, Texas in 1993. Basil enjoyed volunteer work at the Cowboy Artists Museum and the VA. Basil leaves his family and friends with fond memories. His life was well lived.\r\n \r\nHe is survived by wife, Ardath; children, Chris, Stephan and Amy; and grandchildren, Nicholas, Christopher, Peter, Alex and Will.\r\n \r\nVisitation will be held 5-7 PM, Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Grimes Funeral Chapels.\r\n \r\nGraveside services will be held 1:45 PM, Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio officiated by Rev. Chris Christopherson.\r\n