Theodore Petras

Master Sergeant USAF (Retired), Theodore Nicholas Michael Petras, age 86, left this world to be with the Lord on May 23, 2024. He was born on December 6, 1937, in Savannah, Georgia, the only son of Michael and Athena Petras. He was a loving husband of 58 years to his beloved wife, Tran Thi Ba Petras of Hóc Môn, Vietnam. Theodore Petras proudly served in the United States Air Force for 26-years as an Aircraft Accessory Systems Superintendent. He served on USAF bases around the country and world; including, Wright-Patterson (OH), Chanute (IL), Grissom (IN), Ton Sun Nhut (Vietnam), Clark (Philippines), Offutt (NE), and at Edward Air Force Base (CA), the center of aerospace testing in the U.S., where he retired in 1986. He received military honors and awards including the Air Force (AF) Good Conduct Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Longevity Service Ribbon with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

As a proud father and Papou (Grandfather) Theodore Petras left a legacy of 7 children, 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Petras was a member of the Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael Petras (Father) & Athena Petras (Mother); Tran Thi Ba Petras (Wife); Kyme Tran (Daughter); and Misty Mitchell (Granddaughter). He is survived by his son, Michael (Jane) Petras; daughters Athena (Michael) Clark, Ellen Petras, Elise (Eric) Roper, Thu (Richard) Meyers, and Twiggy Hackett; and grandchildren, Nolan Clark, Preston Clark, Nick Petras, William Petras, Thena Roper, Edward Whitten, Alicia Whitten, Chris Meyers, Thomas Meyers, Joshua Meyers, Elizabeth Meyers, Sarah Meyers, and TJ Hackett.

His visitation will be held at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens on Hwy 150 in Hoover, AL on Sunday, June 2 from 5-7 pm. His life celebration will be held on Monday, June 3 at the Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham, AL at 1:00 pm, followed by a graveside service at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Hoover, AL.

May his memory be eternal.