Gus Liveakos

Tupelo - GUS LIVEAKOS, 89, died Thursday, February 21, 2008, while returning home from Pensacola, Fla. He was born October 2, 1918 in Greenville, Alabama to the late Mike and Annie Bentley Liveakos. In the early years of his childhood, he lived in Butler County, Alabama, later in Pensacola, before returning to Alabama where he graduated in 1938 from Butler County High School. He later received college credits from Florida State University. He was retired from the United States Navy after 22 years. During World War II, he served on the USS Mississinwa, the only U.S. Naval Vessel sunk by a Japanese Kamikaze Submarine during the war. He also served during the Korean Conflict. In 1957, he was located to Tupelo as an area naval recruiter. One of his last naval assignments was on board an escort ship in the Mediterranean for President Eisenhower. After retirement from the Navy in 1962, he worked many years in Tupelo with Hill's Marine. His wife of 62 years, Ruth Krudop Liveakos, preceded him in death just over two weeks ago. He was a longtime active member of the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club where he served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was named 1996-1997 Civitan of the Year. He served as the chairman of the Civitan Candy Box Program for a number of years, and also served as chairman of the Civitan's Salvation Army bell ringers for many years. In 1978-1979 he served as Mississippi North Lt. Governor. In 2001-2002 he served as District Sgt-At-Arms. He was named a Foundation Fellow for Civitan International, and was a recipient of the Honor Key for Civitan North Mississippi District. In 2001, The Salvation Army presented him the William Booth Award, the highest local honor for his work with the Salvation Army through the Civitan Club. He was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church where he served many years as an usher, and several terms as junior warden of the Church. He, along with his wife, Ruth, delivered Meals on Wheels through All Saints. He was also a strong and active supporter of the RCDC.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at All Saints Episcopal Church with The Rev. Gene Asbury, The Rev. LaRae Rutenbar, and The Rev. Ray Goodman officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Merrell Rogers and her husband, Dr. Lee Rogers, and Laura Liveakos Colatrella, all of Tupelo; one son, Richard Liveakos and his fiancee, Gloria Lind, of Pensacola, Fla.; one sister, Christine Seay of Pensacola; one brother, George H. Liveakos of Pensacola; five grandchildren, Sims Rogers Polk and her husband, Chad, of Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Hart Rogers and his wife, Kate, of Boston, Mass., Barrett Liveakos of Annapolis, MD, Alexis (Lexi) Colatrella and John C. (Bubba) Colatrella both of Wall, N.J.; one great-grandson, Bentley Polk of Nashville, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and one sister, Helen Faulkner.

His nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club..

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 in the Parish Hall at All Saints Episcopal Church.

Memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 608 West Jefferson Street, Tupelo MS 38804, The Civitan International Research Center, PO Box 130744, Birmingham, AL 35213-0744 or The Salvation Army, PO Box 706, Tupelo MS 38802.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com