Emmanuel "Manny" John Melotakis

Emmanuel "Manny" John Melotakis, 86, of Amarillo died October 21, 2022.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at St. John Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 Bell St., Amarillo, Texas 79106.

Emmanuel John Melotakis who folks commonly called Manny or EJ was born on March 13, 1936 in a small village on the island of Crete, Greece. When Manny was a small child in Crete, WWII broke out in Europe. The family  could sit for hours listening to his stories of when Germany invaded his small village and how the Cretians were tenacious as they fought to protect their land.  His father was one of many who enlisted at age 55 to help fight in the war.  During the war, a German Sergeant took up residency in their home.  By age 5, Manny was speaking German and learned to count by watching how many Paratroopers landed in the village. He would often joke about how he was first in line for meals along with German soldiers.  When the war ended, the family moved to Hopewell, Virginia.

Manny grew up in Hopewell and spent many seasons playing football and baseball. Upon graduation from Hopewell High School, Manny enlisted in the Air Force.  One of his assignments landed him in Amarillo, Texas. Manny found a Greek church to attend where he met the love of his life, Evangeline Botsonis.  He used to joke about the only time he went to church and he falls in love.   Manny and Eve married in June of 1960 and were wed for 62 years.

Manny was the owner of the Spudnut Shop at third and McMasters in Amarillo.  Many folks loved the Spudnut Shop.  He had several regular customers that would always say “tell Manny your name once and he’ll never forget you.” Manny sold the Spudnut Shop after 14 years and retired at age 47.  His retirement days were spent playing golf, fishing and seeing his grandkids.

Manny was active member of St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church where he served as president for thirteen years and continued as a board member after that.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Eve, his daughter Faye and her husband Gerald Palacio. A son, Manny and his wife Donna Melotakis. Grandchildren Breanna Melotakis, Mason Emmanuel and his wife, Ashley Melotakis, Christina and her husband Tanner Durrington.  A great grandson, Croix Emmanuel Melotakis and soon to be great granddaughter Harley Melotakis.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the many who took care of Manny his last year.  Those include Brookdale Assisted Living, BSA Home Health Care, The Arbors, Amarillo Skilled Nursing and Kindred Hospice Care.

The family will reside at the daughter’s home at 3701 Montague, Amarillo. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations to be made to St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 Bell Street, Amarillo, TX 79106.