COLUMBUS, Ohio | James “Jim� Pantalos, 92, of Columbus, Ohio, died peacefully Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Mary Pavlyak Pantalos, daughter, Jacquie Reed, of Fishers, Ind.; son, George Pantalos, of Louisville, Ky.; and five grandchildren. Jim was born in Argos, Greece, and as a small child came through Ellis Island with his family. He was a graduate of Auburn High School. After serving in the 15th Air Force in North Africa and southern Italy during WW II, he returned to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio to complete undergraduate studies in social work. He did his graduate studies at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, working briefly in Jackson, Mich., before moving to Columbus in 1952. He worked as a social worker at Columbus State Hospital and the Columbus City Health Department. before joining the faculty of the School of Social Work at Ohio State University in 1963, where he befriended and mentored numerous students until 1985; and continued to serve as the faculty adviser to Alpha Phi Omega well beyond his retirement. Jim was a lifelong concert and jazz musician, playing with Ziggy Colye's dance band as well as civic bands and orchestras in central Ohio. Jim and Mary were members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and former members of St. James Episcopal Church in Columbus. He was also an adult volunteer of many years at COSI. Services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Auburn. Burial will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Half Acre. Contributions may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Auburn. Local arrangements are by the Plis Funeral Home.
