Nick Carras
Nicholas “Nick” John Carras, age 85, died November 12, 2012 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, MO.
Nick was born November 25, 1926 in Kansas City, MO. He was an outstanding athlete at West Port High School and a four year football letterman at the University of Missouri.
Nick joined the Merchant Marines near the end of WWII and served on an oil tanker traveling to the Aleutian Islands. He was in the US Air Force during the Korean conflict, serving two years as a fitness trainer for pilots at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, TX. He received a B.S. in Ed and M.Ed from the University of Missouri where he met his wife, Wanda Sallee. Nick and Wanda made their home in Springfield, MO. Nick was a coach and counselor in the Springfield Public Schools for 29 years. He was a master wood carver and loved to work outside.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents, John and Evanthia Carras (Karagiorgas), a brother, Gus Carras; sister-in-law, Daphne Carras; and nephew, John Carras. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Wanda; two daughters and their spouses, Cathy and Bruce Love, Bella Vista, AR and Nicki and Dale Gillespie, Strafford, MO; two grandchildren, Melissa Love and Travis Gillespie; two brothers, George Carras, Overland Park, KS and Jim and Kim Carras, Hideaway, TX; sister-in-law, Dorothy Carras, Whittier, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Mary Lou Sallee, Ava, MO and many other loving family members and friends.
A private family service will be held at a later date. We wish to thank the doctors and staff of the Mt. Vernon Missouri Veterans Home who provided such tender and respectful care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 1500 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65804, the Missouri Veterans Home, 600 S. Hickory, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 or the charity of your choice.