Arthur Demetriou Paradeses

RALEIGH - Arthur Demetriou Paradeses, born May 17, 1928, joined his heavenly Father on November 12, 2025. He was born in Columbia, SC, the eldest of four boys, a son of Greek immigrant parents, Menexou and Demetriou. His father owned a restaurant in Columbia, SC, the Phoenix, where my father and his brothers all worked as they matured. He graduated from Porter Gaud Military Academy in Charleston before returning to Columbia and enrolling at the University of South Carolina.

While at USC, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, where he severed in the Artillery. He was a decorated veteran. After finishing his two-year requirement in the Army, he liked to recall how he reenrolled at USC the day he returned home.

He met the love of his life, Emma, on a blind date, and proposed to her after graduation. They were married in 1955. They had three daughters: Pamela, Stephanie, and Mary, and six grandchildren.

Arthur worked for many years at the American Red Cross in Disaster Relief. During this tenure, he spent two and a half years in Dusseldorf, Germany. These years were some of the happiest in their lives as they spent weekends traveling around Europe.

Back in the US, the family eventually settled in Raleigh, NC. Arthur left the American Red Cross and began working for the State of NC in the Medicaid Program. To further advance his career, he received his MPH from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1975. He then became Manager of Program Integrity for the Medicaid Program. He retired in 1994, with two Orders of the Long Leaf Pines from Gov. Martin and Gov. Hunt, former republican and democratic governors.

Arthur attended the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for over fifty years, helping to build the Church where it stands on Lead Mine Road today. He was a lifetime member of the men's organization, AHEPA. He held various positions in AHEPA over the years, including President, as well as serving on the Church Board.

Arthur was also a longtime member of Master Gardeners, along with his wife, Emma. Together, they spent many hours working together in their yard, gardening, and studying plants. In addition to gardening, he enjoyed photography, reading, and history. Both Arthur and Emma loved to travel, and continued to take many trips overseas, especially after Arthur retired.

Arthur and Emma were married for over sixty years when she passed. He took great care of his wife in her later years as she battled dementia. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He will be dearly missed, but we were so blessed to have had him for 97 years here on Earth. It is a better place because of him. We are grateful that he has now been reunited with his Heavenly Father and loving wife.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Greeson (Billy), and grandson, Logan Greeson; daughter, Stephanie Starr (Wes), and grandsons, Dakota (Alyssa) Starr, Hunter Starr, and great-grandson, Kayden; daughter, Mary Wehbie (Robert), and grandsons, Alexander Boatman (Emilia), Nicholas Boatman (Marina), and granddaughter, Marina Boatman (Chase).

He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Stike and Bill Paradeses.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask for donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Capital Campaign Fund in his name for the building of a new Church as our membership continues to expand.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Lead Mine Road at 3pm Monday, November 17, with visitation from 2-3pm before the service. He will be buried at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens in Columbia, SC.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com