From Michael Peret to Mike Ellis (Posted June 7, 2009)

 

Please excuse the apparent "form letter" format of this email as I am sending this to many people at the same time... I am sorry to tell you that I found Chris Pappas dead at his house yesterday (6/6/09). He had not returned any of my calls and I felt like something was wrong. I went by there about 4pm yesterday and crowbared the front door. I spent 3 1/2 hours with the para-medics, police and medical examiners.

 

I have met with his ex-wife (Laura Pappas), his son (Jason Pappas) and his grand niece (Erica). It is much too early to know about any arrangements. Please inform anyone you know that knew Chris as I have only scattered pieces of paper with phone numbers I found in his wallet to be able to contact his friends.

 

From Mike Ellis (Posted June 8, 2009) Tribute to Chris Pappas

It is with a very heavy heart that I post this. I found out this morning (Sunday, June 7th 2009) that Chris Pappas is no longer with us. He was found Saturday in his house on Butler by Mike Peret.

Chris was the reason I am still playing guitar and teaching guitar. I had been playing guitar in my room for about nine months when Chris found out I played. He asked me if I wanted to get together with him and Kenny Landers (Patty's older brother). We got together and played some songs and it actually went pretty well. Chris sang, Kenny played drums, and Chris and I played guitar. We did songs like "Louie Louie" and "The Jolly Green Giant" and "The Book of Love" and it was a lot of fun. Chris knew all the words, it was great. We actually played whole songs (which was new to me).

 

After the first get together, on a Monday afternoon, Chris said, "You wanna be in a band?" I responded, "I guess so." And he said, Good! We have a gig this Saturday night!" I was shocked and said, "Let's see... that's about fifteen songs in less than a week!" Chris just smiled and said, "No problem! They are all three chord songs. We can do it."

Now, I knew the lead part to "Louie Louie" and "Money", but they were the only leads I knew and when he said, "You can play lead," I started to back out, but his enthusiasm and love of music and guitar and playing kept me in it. I decided to play every lead "similar" to the way I played on those leads I knew and thanks to Chris, I found that I could improvise leads. I worked my ass off in those five days. We had, I think, one more practice and borrowed Joe Hurt's Fender Bassman amp and ran both our guitars and one mic through it and played the gig. We made $25.00 and since we blew the speakers in Joe's amp, we had to have them re-coned which cost $24.00. hahahaha. But that's where it all started for me.

I played in five bands with Chris, including that one, The Exiles, The Inner Sanctum, one with no name, and lastly for a year with Big Lucee.

I love Chris Pappas and will probably miss him more than anybody else will.

 

From Mike Peret, re: services for Chris Pappas (Posted June 8, 2009)

 

Grave side services will be at Grove Hill Cemetery, 3920 Samuell Blvd. on 6/11/2009 at 1pm. The family has requested casual attire since Chris was allergic to suits… seriously, jeans will be fine and Chris would have wanted it that way. This will be an informal gathering without a minister presiding and anyone wishing to say a few brief words will be welcome and encouraged. I just sent in an obit to the Dallas Morning News that will run on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

 

When you get to the cemetery, follow the "numbered Pappas" signs. Be aware that there is some major road work on both sides of Grove Hill Cemetery and allow time to find the gravesite. After the service, we are going to meet at the Lakewood First & Ten Sports Bar on the north east corner of Mockingbird and Abrams directly across Abrams from where Charco’s was. Formally called Bailey’s First And Ten. This will give everyone time to meet Jason, his wife Ashley, and Chris' great niece Erica to share your feelings and stories about Chris.

 

From Patricia Mooney(Posted June 8, 2009)

 

What sad news. Chris is a BIG part of my fondest memories from Woodrow. A couple of summers I saw him most nights. Rudd and I would be "parked" under the oak tree at my house on Westlake and Hillside and Chris would come by and bring us tacos from Taco Bell.  Makes me laugh thinking of it among so many other memories.

 

From Mike Ellis (Posted June 9, 2009)

 

My goodness, Kathy. What an article (Kathy’s Corner). I'm sitting here in tears, but had to write this. If you look at the 40th Reunion video where I do the introductions of the band members [see link below], I say about Chris, "He got me in the first band I was ever in and he's the best guitarist, accompanist I've ever played with." And Chris walked over and kissed me on the cheek. Now being 1/4 Greek and growing up in a Greek environment, I was accustomed to a man kissing another man on the cheek as a true (not silly or sarcastic) means of showing affection. I'll ALWAYS remember that and will always cherish the thought that I actually did get to tell Chris how much he meant to me.

 

[To see the video Mike mentions, go to Photo & Video Gallery on the web site, click on 40th Reunion Videos, The Exiles Video - Entire 2 Sets, then click on “Louie Louie” and go to the 3:24 mark.]

 

From Jay Ballou (Posted June 9, 2009)

 

The news about Chris was devastating - crushing, to say the least. I never met anyone who smiled more through any situation than he did. He was a wonderful guy, very talented and probably knew every rock and roll song ever recorded. I wish he had stayed with The Exiles, because I (and all the guys) loved playing with such a talented guy. We miss him, and will dedicate our future gigs to Chris - he inspired us all. God bless Chris Pappas...

From Jim Barnett (Posted June 9, 2009)

 

Although we all grieve over the loss of Chris, a friend I have had since I was in jr hi, I celebrate his life and all the good times we had. And know this...he is now in paradise. This life we have now is only a dress rehearsal for what is to come. Knowing this makes a tragedy such as this a little easier to handle. But it's still really tough...

 

From Mike Ellis (Posted June 9, 2009)

 

I just had to say a couple of more things about Chris. First of all, he ALWAYS had a smile for me and others. He made me smile. While with Big Lucee, he brought and set up his huge PA system by himself and NEVER complained... not once. When the Exiles played the 40th Reunion, he would be the one to bring the PA and mics out to Blake Miles' place to practice, by himself, along with his regular guitar and amp gear and NEVER complained... not once. Remember, he not only brought this stuff for both bands, but loaded it, brought it, set it up, practiced, tore it down, loaded it back up, took it home and had to unload it there, and I NEVER heard him mutter even one cross word about it. He was always willing to host any get together and he always gave of himself more than others ever did. If there's a Heaven, Chris is there, no doubt! And he's jammin' with Hank and the big boys! I hope to see you ALL there on Thursday (see Mike Peret's post below). I think this is one that we can ALL miss work for. Work will still be there when we get back. I just wish I could say that about Chris.

 

From Mike Ellis(Posted June 10, 2009)

 

A Tribute to Chris "Pappy" Pappas…
I can't believe all the wonderful messages here about Chris. I thought I'd try to capture some of my feelings in music and post the song on youtube.  Thanks to you all for the postings and the memories.

 

 

From Christy Thomas (Posted June 10, 2009)

 

I'm truly sorry to hear about Chris and am trying to see if I can make it to the service tomorrow, but it doesn't look very likely right now.  These losses do tear at our souls. We so need the free spirits among us--they give us a peek into a lighter and more laughter-filled world. Thank goodness for memories and the communion of the saints.

 

From Jay Ballou(Posted June 10, 2009)

 

Since Mike E. and Kathy mentioned the video of our 40th Reunion concert, I have to ask everyone to go to the video and click on the song "Summertime" - then turn up the volume and treat yourself to vintage Chris Pappas. Although Mike plays the vast majority of our guitar leads (and is the best I have ever heard by the way!!!), Mike stepped back and had Chris play this lead. Chris' lead guitar in Summertime is the DEFINITION of "tearing it up" and literally sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. It's hard to watch now, but do it to remember what a talent Chris was. Rock and roll music is a little quieter today...

 

From Laura Pappas (Posted June 10, 2009)

 

I am Chris' ex-wife. We had a total of 4 great years together. We had great times pulling funny pranks on each other and we loved each other. He was my one true love. He blessed me with a beautiful baby boy, Jason Pappas (who looks just like Chris), on Sept. 7, 1977. After we were apart, Chris and I were always in touch and he knew everything about his son as he grew.  Chris also knew he was a grandfather to be, early August 2009. He was very proud of that. My heart is broken. But, I have GREAT memories.

 

From Mike Peret (Posted June 10, 2009)

 

When you get to the cemetery, follow the "numbered Pappas" signs. Be aware that there is some major road work on both sides of Grove Hill Cemetery and allow time to find the gravesite. After the service, we are going to meet at the Lakewood First & Ten Sports Bar on the north east corner of Mockingbird and Abrams directly across Abrams from where Charco’s was. Formally called Bailey’s First And Ten. This will give everyone time to meet Jason, his wife Ashley, and Chris' great niece Erica to share your feelings and stories about Chris.

 

From Mike Barnes (Posted June 10, 2009)

Like many others, I always appreciated Chris's upbeat attitude upbeat spirit. Unlike others, he and I shared some unique experiences in Hawaii. He and I were roommates for almost a year and had the time of our lives. We were surf buddies, rode around the island on his Triumph 650 motorcycle and were fairly well known on the party circuit. What a time and what a guy....I'll miss him.

 

 

From Duff Edwards(Class of ’68) (Posted June 10, 2009)

 

Just wanted to say a few words about Pappy,,, Yeah,  Pappas was into music but he was into FAST cars also,,, I remember racing Chris, Peret, and Roger New to Charco’s after school & peeling out in the horseshoe. 

 

Saw Pappas a week before Peret found him,, He had a big smile on his face then because he had just found out he was going to be a grandfather,,,, I miss Chris dearly and don't have a clue what it’s going to be like without him around...He was a great friend all these years,,,He was there for all of us...See ya'll Thursday.

 

From Sonny Thompson(Posted June 10, 2009)

It was a football night in '66 (I think); we had just roundly beaten some hapless team.  The Inner Sanctum was playing an aftergame party outside at the Y.  I was with Danny Bartley, we both had dates, and we stopped by the party.  The band was on a break and I was chatting with Chris, and he, Danny and I agreed to meet up after we took the dates home.  We were parked on a random Lakewood street, sitting on the hood munching tacos Chris had picked up.  In those days, Chris was having trouble hanging onto his guitar pick while playing, so he was experimenting with taping the pick to his thumb.  He was quite proud of his technique.  While stuffing his mouth, I noticed he still had tape on his thumb. 

I told him that I was envious of his ability to play, him being a rock star and all, and told him that one day I wanted to take up a guitar and begin lessons.  Chris reached into his pocket, pulled out a sticky Fender medium celluloid guitar pick, the one that had been taped to his thumb that night, and handed it to me.  He said, "When you decide to start playing, here's a pick." 

I kept that guitar pick. 

It lived in the bottom of a little accessories box for 42 years.  In the summer of 2008, I did indeed, finally pick up a guitar.  I bought a beautiful Taylor acoustic and brought it home.  That night, after I spoke with a recommended teacher and arranged for lessons,  I took the guitar out of the case, dug deep and retrieved Chris' pick, and strummed the strings, not exactly knowing what chords were at the time.  It was something I had wanted to do all my adult life but never prioritized the time to do.  It was a sweet sound.  Did I keep that guitar pick all those decades because I vowed one day to play with it?
No, I kept it because it had belonged to Chris...and as it turned out, I did play with it. 

The last time I saw Chris was in November, 1970, but I meant one day to give that pick back to Chris as an act of nostalgia.  Then after I began to play, I promised myself that the next time I was in Dallas I would look him up, maybe go get some tacos, and ask him if he remembered that night and the story of that sticky pick.  Chances are, he would not have remembered.  But I do.  I remember it as if it were last night.  Likely, Chris would have said, "What took you so long?"    Or more colorful words to that effect...

I wish I could give back his Fender pick.

 

From Dave Connell (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

In the scheme of things I guess this confusion, delay, rain, & storms is the appropriate set of events to mark Chris' passing. It gives us more time to reflect on the man and his life.  Chris was the first person that I ever knew who was truly hearing the beat of a different drummer.  We all need people like him to help us realize there is always a different way to look at things.  Not a better or worse way, just different.  We are all blessed in one way or another for having known him.

 

From Glenda Knight Johnson (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

I have been out of town and just learned about Chris.  That is so sad.  He was such a good musician.  I didn't know him very well but he's one of us.

 

From Tracy Coffey(Posted June 11, 2009)

 

I am so very sorry to hear of Chris' passing. He was such a larger than life individual with a passion for music exceeded by few. His energy and love of life was boundless. Thanks for being who you were, and peace be with you and your family.

 

From Linda Schwartz (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

[Re: Mike Ellis’ video]    I didn't know Chris as an adult, but I am sure he was a great friend to you, Mike. This was a lovely tribute to him.

 

From Barbara Brown Grajski (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

I wish I was able to hop on a plane and be there tomorrow, but I just can’t – however, I will be with all of you in spirit.  Please hoist one to Chris at the sports bar for me!

 

From Brenda Bock Linzel (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

- been reading everyone's messages and it seems it is times like these that brings us all back together.  we have a unique class, don't we???  wish i could be with you tomorrow.  i will be there in spirit.  be well.

 

From J.P. Massengill(Posted June 11, 2009)

 

If this isn't a tear jerker, something is wrong with your plumbing! The biggest cut up in Woodrow history! So much fun at the Y.M.C.A. after the game. I will never forget how he installed my first car stereo, A Muntz 4 track. The band nominated me to do the Inner Sanctum logo. We are still looking for the lost recording of this great band with our buddy singing.

 

From Dan Hatzenbuehler (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

I wish I could remember when Chris came to Mt. Auburn. I think it was the 5th grade; perhaps William Bagwell, Ronnie Waldie or others can recall. Chris and I spent a lot of time together on weekends; I would go to his house, where he lived with his mother, who was a sweetheart, or he would come to my house where he was always welcome. I can also remember his father driving us to different places. His dad was much older than Chris' mom (or that's the way I remember it) and if he wasn't from Greece, he sure looked like it and seemed to have an accent as I recall. Even then, Chris was fun-loving and a kind soul. Some things never change, and fortunately, some people never change. Chris and I developed different, but overlapping, friend sets at WW, and it was great to be able to re-connect, if only briefly, at the 40th reunion. Thanks to his fellow Exiles, especially "Mikey" Ellis, for the memories. I wish I could be there tomorrow. My parents are buried at Grove Hill; I'm sure they, along with Christy's "communion of saints", will be glad to see him and to show him around. And knowing Chris, he'll be taking it all in with a big smile of wonderment on his face.      [Note:  Dan is in Memphis, TN]

 

From Mike Peret (Posted June 11, 2009)

 

This picture was taken when a group of us were sighting in a few rifles years ago and Chris was extremely proud of the shot he had made.

 

 

From Diana Roberts (Posted June 12, 2009)

 

Very sad to hear of Chris’ passing. He was a fun loving guy. He really added something special to our senior class and we will all miss him.

 

From Sharon Thomas (Posted June 12, 2009)

 

Since receiving the news of the death of Chris Pappas, I find myself checking the site frequently because quite honestly it is so heartwarming to read the comments of our classmates who knew and loved Chris.   I did not know Chris well at WW, but do remember him being a fun guy to be around, always smiling.

I watched the video that Mike E. posted on UTube and wept .  The loss of a best friend in my opinion is right up there with the loss of parents.  I am reminded of Maya Angelou's comment on her answer to the question "Death, where is thy sting?"... "It is here in my heart and mind and memories".  The quote, "O Grave, where is thy Victory?  O Death! where is thy sting?"   for theologians among us, can be found in  I Corinthians 15:55 or Hosea 13:14.  For the English majors ( that would be me), it is in the last two lines of Alexander Pope's poem, The Dying Christian To His Soul.....  a wonderful poem

 

As I was browsing the WWW67 website, I found myself drawn to the "In Memoriam" page. There was much of "my heart, and mind, and memories" on that page.  So, I shed a few more tears for friends and classmates no longer with us. I am not sure if all my "weepiness" this week is due to thoughts of those who have "gone on to Glory" ( as my grandmother used to say) or just because I am a 60 year old woman,..... a good cry is good for the soul....

.

From Cathy Claxton Taylor (Posted June 12, 2009)

 

My favorite memory of Chris comes from the 35th reunion when we had the elementary school tours. Our Mt. Auburn group was in stitches listening to Chris and Ronnie Waldie talk about all the times they got in trouble! Chris told about when we had a fire drill and he had to go outside in the mud wearing his new tennis shoes. He was so mad about getting his shoes dirty that he just dug his feet into the mud when we were going back in. He was sitting in class when the custodian, who had followed the tracks all the way to Chris' desk, came in and made him clean it all up! Being with Chris that day brought back a lot of great memories, and I'll never forget him.

 

Darlene Hogan Kruse (Posted June 12, 2009)

 

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon him. may his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen My thoughts and prayers to all who knew and loved Chris.

 

From Danny Bartley (Posted June 12, 2009)

 

I wish I could have made the trip and shared Chris stories with everyone. I've laid awake several nights recently reliving the days Chris and I were friends. Like the times Chris and I went camping. We were always woefully under prepared, like the time we decided to take a 2 day canoeing trip in the winter without checking the weather forecast. Got caught in a cold front and were gone an extra day. Set my down sleeping bag on fire and woke up the next morning, both of us covered with down feathers, freezing but all we could do was laugh. Or when Chris showed up at my door in Austin saying he had resigned from the Army. Probably was a felony to say come on in, but hey, it was Chris. I've been boring my wife with these stories for a few days. Hadn't seen much of Chris after I decided to head to Colorado back in the early 80's but whoever was paling around with him, I bet it was still an enjoyable adventure. God speed Mr. Pappas.