Paul Demostenes changed people by just walking in a room, his family said.
“He loved to smile and he was a loving guy,” said Diana Ballard, a daughter.
On Monday, Demostenes, a Korean Conflict veteran, died at his Middletown home. He was 87.
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Ballard said her father taught her several life lessons: the Golden Rule, two wrongs don’t make a right, and never say anything negative about a person.
“I still try to live that way,” his daughter said.
Donnie Melton, one of Demostenes’ sons, called his father “one of a kind” because he “cared about people.”
Ballard said her father had biological children and step-children, but he referred to all of them as “his children.”
Demostenes worked as a test board operator for Ohio Bell, retiring in 1985 after 30 years. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a member of American Legion Post 218, V.F.W No. 3809 and DAV No. 131.
Demostenes was an accomplished bowler and was a member of the American Bowling Association. His daughter said many of their family vacations revolved around bowling tournaments.
He’s survived by his children, Diana (Roger) Ballard, Debbie (Mike) Willman-Harter, Jim Demostenes, Donnie (Marcy) Melton, Debbie (Bob) Arthur, Kelly (Tony) Turner and Todd (Rhonda) Melton; sister, Bake Koutsikides; 15 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana Demostenes; former wife, Shirley Demostenes; son, Charles “Chuck” Demostenes; parents; and sister, Katherine Tsakeris.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. at Bonita Drive. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Middletown Combined Honor Guard.
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