Thomas S. Korllos

Thomas S. Korllos, PhD, 89, of Sugar Bush Knolls, Ohio died peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. He was born August 3, 1925 in Homestead, Pa. to the late Stavros (Steve) and Sophia Korllos. He was raised in Boston, Massachusetts and later moved with his family to Kent, Ohio where he graduated from Kent State High School in 1943. He married his wife Marion (Simon) in 1949 and together they raised two sons in Warren, Ohio, before returning to Kent in 1965.

Thomas was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II where he received pre-flight training in Amarillo, Texas and Oklahoma A&M University. Following his marriage, he attended Youngstown University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then obtained his first position as an academic at Howland High School, Howland, Ohio where he taught Social Studies and History. Thomas continued his educational pursuits and obtained his Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from Kent State University. He was offered and accepted his first teaching position at Kent in the Sociology Department in 1965 and moved his family from Warren, Ohio to Kent. While at Kent, he pursued and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology at The Ohio State University.

In 1970, he served as Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and then as Dean of Student Academic Services and Summer Sessions. He then returned to the Department of Sociology to resume his love of teaching. He developed coursework in The Sociology of Architecture and loved teaching Theory. Thomas taught at Kent until he was 80 years of age. In his academic work, Thomas served as editor of several sociology journals - both national and international - and was an accomplished published writer and lecturer in his field. Thomas traveled extensively throughout the world with his wife, Marion, and brought his experiences to the classroom.

He served as Councilman and later as Mayor of Sugar Bush Knolls, and also volunteered in various service groups including Kent Social Services, where he applied his talents.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Marion; and sons, T. Stephen Korllos, Jr. (Marcia) and Christopher N. Korllos (Julie) both of whom he was enormously proud; grandchildren, Lisa Korllos and Thomas S. Korllos, III (Shelley); and great-grandson, Nicholas George Korllos.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union Street, Akron OH 44304 or to The Department of Sociology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242.