Ernest A. Sarandos

Ernest A. SarandosErnest A. Sarandos of Buffalo, TX, passed away October 23, 2009.  He was born April 20, 1934 in Vasilitsi, Greece, was orphaned and came to the US in 1951 with his brother and sister.  He was brought to the states by his paternal uncle, William G. Sarandos.  He attended San Jacinto High School and graduated in 1957. He started a family business, Sarandos Deodorant Company, with his brother in 1960.   He retired in 1982 and moved to Buffalo, TX with his wife, Sharon Mersiovsky Sarandos.  He loved living on his ranch, taking care of his animals and working around his ranch.  His family was his joy.  He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, caring brother and loyal friend.  He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Sharon Mersiovsky Sarandos, his children, Billy Sarandos and wife Kathy, Ginger Sarandos Sommers and husband Clifford, his 4 grandchildren, Ernie Lee Sarandos, Stephanie Bishop, Arist Bishop and Stacie Bishop, his brother George A. Sarandos and wife Athena, his sister Georgia Papasarandopoulous Poutous and husband Louie, numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, many cousins in the US and in Greece and countless friends.
    He was a devout Christian and it showed in his good hearted nature and charity to friends and strangers in need.  He was loved by everyone who met him.  He was a very generous man who treasured all of his friendships.  He was always the life of the party and could make anyone laugh in any situation.  He welcomed multitudes of friends and family into his home and made everyone feel like they were family.  He will be deeply missed.
    Viewing will be held Monday, October 26th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery 12800 Westheimer Houston, TX 77077.  Funeral will be held Tuesday, October 27th at 11:00 am at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church located at 1100 Eldridge Pkwy, Houston, TX 77077.
    His son Billy Sarandos said, “Dad, what I will miss the most is talking to my best friend everyday.”
    His daughter Ginger said that he was the true meaning of the word father.  He was the only one who was there for everyone and never wanted anything in return.  “I loved him  more than my own life and I know that he will always be with me looking down and saying, Ginger, I love you and will always be here for you. “
    His granddaughter Stacie wrote. There is so much to say about him.  My Papaw was an amazing guy that always had hope for anyone that was a part of him.  We loved him more than life itself.  He wasn’t just a grandfather to me; he was like a best friend.  I felt really close to him.  I will miss all the great times I had with him.  I didn’t see him as much as I should have, but thought about him every second of the day.  When the time comes for me, I will be looking forward to seeing him cracking his jokes in the place we call heaven.
    His granddaughter Stephanie wrote…My papaw was my heart.  I will never forget the joy he brought to my life.  His jokes brought so much laughter.  When I think of the happiest moments of my life, they were all spent with him.  He was treated like a king everywhere we went.  No matter where we went, somebody knew him.  All of my friends loved him so much, they called him Papaw.  He treated them like his own grandchildren.  I was always so excited to bring my friends to Buffalo, just to meet him.  I had to warn them that he was not like other grandfathers.  They knew exactly what I meant within the first 30 seconds of meeting them.  He joked with them like he knew them forever.  He put a smile on everyone’s face.  My Papaw was such a handsome man, and he  should be with all the time he spent in  front of the mirror getting ready….you see I’ve inherited my sense of humor from him.  He was famous for many things. My favorites are his one finger head scratch so his hair would not get messed up, not letting the gas tank getting below ¾ before filling it up again and he was always in the car waiting for us at least 2 hours before we needed to leave.   My Papaw took me to Greece and showed me a way of life I will never forget.  I would do anything to go back there with him.   He spoke Greek fluently, but he only taught us the bad words, which was just like him.
    I will never forget you Papaw and all the happiness and laughter you brought to my life.  I look forward to many more laughs with I tell stories about you in the future.  I will always love you, my little Papouli mou.  Love, your Greek Princess.
    His grandson Arist said “my Papaw was a great man”.  I’m going to miss him so much.  I couldn’t wait until I got on Spring Break from school because I knew the fun he had in store for us at the farm.  My friends would fight over who got to come with me and could always count on him to make my favorite soup, Avgolemeno, before we arrived.  Any time he would talk, he would light up the room with his jokes.  Words can’t describe him, only the feeling that you got after meeting him could.  I am going to miss him so much.  I love you forever, your chef Arist.                              
 
My Uncle Ernie………Always

*Always grabbed my hand, pulled me in and had the cutest pucker when he greeted me.

*Always had a twinkle in his eye.

*Always brought me to the farm on the weekends.

*Always let me drive the truck.

*Always turned the radio up.

*Always let me spend the night.

*Always let me play airplane on the stairs.

*Always let me skip brushing my teeth and taking a bath.

*Always called us “fart-knockers”.

*Always had a loud voice..

*Always took me to Greece.

*Always made me laugh.

*Always told me I was his favorite niece.

*Always said I should not have married a deigo.

*Always called me “Ma-rear”.

*Always gave my husband a hard time.

*Always made my kids smile.

*Always loved my sweet Aunt Sharon.

*Always told me he loved me and I will love him too

ALWAYS.

-Maria Poutous Botti

    I always called him my favorite uncle…..until another uncle walked in the room.  The truth is that he made me laugh like no one else in my family could do. I have countless memories of Uncle Ernie; he told me bedtime stories (with cuss words included), he told me that I didn’t have to brush my teeth or shower for my entire visit to Buffalo, he took me to look for deer every night before bed, let me drive the truck and always told me to eat…even if I wasn’t hungry.
    He was an honest, generous and big hearted man whose loss has left a huge void in our family and in my heart. I truly loved my favorite Uncle Ernie!!
Love Always and Forever.
Your favorite niece,

Evy Poutous