Socrates Peter Creticos

Socrates Peter Creticos, 86, of Columbia, South Carolina, formerly of Charleston, widower of Zilla Margaret Buddin Creticos, loving father and grandfather, entered into eternal rest Saturday, August 18, 2012. His Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, August 21, 2012 in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street at 11:00 am. Interment, Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a Trisagion Service at 6:00 p.m., in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

"Soc" was born January 12, 1926 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of Peter Harold Creticos and Helen Eleftheroulakis Creticos. He grew up spending summers on Sullivan's Island where he developed his lifelong love of the beach. In high school he was an outstanding basketball player. He was selected to play on the South Carolina High School All-State Team, the All-Southern High School Team, and was voted the Outstanding High School Basketball Player in South Carolina when he played for the Bantams of the High School of Charleston. He attended the University of North Carolina where he was selected to the NC All-State Collegiate Team and was nominated to the Regional All-District Team in 1943. He volunteered to serve in the U.S Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II, where he was subsequently injured in the Marianas Islands. Upon return to Charleston, he enrolled at the College of Charleston where he finished his basketball career. Socrates graduated from the Medical College of South Carolina School of Pharmacy in 1953 and had a 34 year career working for Smith, Kline, and French as a senior professional service representative in Charleston. He was a lifelong member of Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and served on its board. He was member of the SC State Pharmaceutical Association.

He is survived by his sister, Anna Creticos Mamalakis of Savannah, GA; two sons, Dr. Peter Socrates Creticos (Ruth) of Crownsville, MD, and Kenneth Michael Creticos (Cathy) of Columbia, SC; his grandchildren: Kristen, Alexander, Kirsten, and Nicholas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Harold Peter Creticos and Angelo Peter Creticos, and his sister, Julia Creticos Chrysostom.

Memorials may be made to Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street, Charleston, SC 29403, or MUSC College of Pharmacy 18 Bee Street, P.O. Box 250450, Charleston, SC 29425.