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Petros Anastasios Axiotes was born in Koroni Messinia, Greece on April 20, 1919. He was the sixth of seven children in a family that produced olives and olive oil in the most distinguished area of Greece.

Because of the war and the times in the 1930’s in Greece, he did Military service and worked for the Athens Police in the Pireaus area. Being close to the water was very important.

After ten years there, he took an opportunity to come to the United States. Stopping in the New Jersey area and coming to relatives in Sioux City, Iowa, he met Olympia B. Fotoplos in Omaha, Nebraska and was married on November 30, 1958. They moved to Omaha and stated their business, the OK Cleaners and Tailors. With no language or resources, they worked hard together to establish a downtown landmark.

At OK Cleaners and Tailors, not only did you get a custom suit to order, your shoes shined, and your hat blocked, but you also received words of wisdom and comfort during a busy work week, prayers of strength, a hearty lunch, or a dessert sampling. People who came in as customers always left as friends. Coffee and koulourakia were always served.

Located on 16th Street, theirs was the only tailor shop in downtown Omaha. Federal workers, judges, lawyers, prominent businessmen, doctors, mayors, governors, etc. were all customers. They maintained excellent relationship with downtown businesses that included: Natelson Department Store, Goldstein Chapman’s, Younker Kilpatrick’s, the Nebraska, Landen’s and Brandeis. The longest relationship of this kind was with Sol Parsow and his family at Parsow’s. David and Steve had Petros working at the Regency location up until recent years—a 50+ year relationship.

Petros unmistakably was an unwavering patriot of his newly adopted country. Omaha Police uniforms had chevrons, buttons, insignia sewn on. SAC uniforms had special stripes and appliques sewn on. Any flags that needed repairs, were stitched on the spot. He also tailored for the Aksarben Ball and Mutual of Omaha. Generals had uniforms made to fit. The Tailor Shop was the hub of activities and friends checking in. All of this was done for FREE for the love of his country.

The philanthropy and gratitude continued in the Greek Orthodox church. Vestments for the priest, altar boy robes, choir robes and linens for the Philoptochos were also taken care of.

Petros had a vast connection to the Omaha-Council Bluffs community, as well as Lincoln, Bellevue and Sioux City.

He was a lifelong AHEPA member and wore his membership pin on his lapel next to his American Flag pin. He had friends all over the U.S. from this Hellenic Education group, and the brotherhood was heartfelt till the end.

To know Petros was to know the door was always open, the food was always plentiful (and delicious), the hospitality was genuine and the “kefi” undeniable. Life was celebrated to the highest caliber. Those who celebrated an Axiotes gathering along with us—whether it be a nameday party, baptism, or wedding—knew it was memorable for those who attended.

Along with changes in downtown Omaha—and a little urban sprawl—the OK Cleaners and Tailor Shop moved to 35th and Center. No customers were lost, and the business expanded.

When he reached the age of 95, the state of Nebraska thought to give Petros a driver’s license for five more years. Why? No automobile accidents until his death. EVER. He will be remembered always as inclusive, never knowing a stranger, a businessman, church member, koumbaro, theo, AHEPAN, father, husband and papou. He was Greek to the core but a proud American, all 97 years.

He leaves behind his wife Olympia; daughter, Katina and husband Joseph G. Rogers, MD; daughter Margaret and husband James Doan II; daughter, Anastasia and husband Nick Rogers, James Doan III, Vasili Doan, Michael Doan, Maria Koliopoulos, Olympia Koliopoulos, Spiro Koliopoulos, Zachary Axiotes, and Lexi Axiotes; brother, Paraskeva Axiotopoulos, living in Greece; and beloved dog Socrates.

Arrangements by Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-&-Cutler Mortuaries, Bel Air Chapel (402)-391-3900

In Loving Memory of Petros Anastasios Axiotes

Born April 20, 1919 Koroni, Messinia, Greece ~ Entered Into Rest July 27, 2016 Omaha, Nebraska

Age 97 Years, 3 Months, 7 Days

Trisagion (Prayer Service) 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 Bel Air Chapel, 12100 West Center Road, Omaha, Nebraska

Funeral Service 9:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016 St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church 602 Park Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska. Officiating Clergy: Rev. Peter J. Pappas.

Pallbearers: Zachary Axiotes, Paul Bitsos, James Doan III, Vasili Doan, Michael Doan, Spiro Koliopoulos, Mark Poulos, Alexander Rogers

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.

Following the committal service, please join the family for a luncheon at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church or Omaha Police Department

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~

FindaGrave #:167469479