Themy John Chakeris

Dr. Themy John Chakeris, M.D., 83, of Charleston, South Carolina, beloved husband of Nena Mary Horton Chakeris died Tuesday, August 1, 2017. His Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2017 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be private immediately following the service. The family will receive friends Monday, August 7th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the Downtown Chapel.

Dr. Chakeris was born May 27, 1934 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late John T. Chakeris and Anastasia Charonis Chakeris. He graduated with honors from Mitchell School and Rivers High School with double diplomas of classical (Latin) and scientific (Biology and Chemistry). Dr. Chakeris also graduated with honors from Hellenic Greek School and studied six years of Greek. He graduated from the College of Charleston with honors with degrees of B.S. in Chemistry and B.S. in Education. Dr. Chakeris studied extensively the Latin, Greek and German languages. He graduated from the Medical University School of Pharmacy with honors and a B.S. degree and served as President of the Rho Chi Honor Society. He received the Phi Beta Kappa Award, the Lehn Fink Award for pharmacognosy, the Merck Award for Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Hellenic Honors Award. Dr. Chakeris graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Medicine and had an internship at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, SC.

Dr. Chakeris served in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Comdesron 4 Medical Officer. He served aboard the U.S.S. Everglades, the U.S.S. Manly, the U.S.S. McCord, the U.S.S. Bordelon and the U.S.S Strong. He served at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Charleston, SC in general medicine, obstetrics, gynecology and emergency room medicine. Dr. Chakeris was board certified by the American Academy of Family Medicine and was in private practice for more than forty years as he served the community. He worked at Roper-St. Francis and Baker Hospitals serving as Chairman of the Family Practitioners and Program Chairman as well as several committees for multiple years. He was also an assistant professor in general family medicine at MUSC.

Dr. Chakeris served on the boards of the Charleston Symphony, Charleston Opera, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Hotline Counselor. He was a member of the U.S. Navy League, American Academy of Family Practice, South Carolina and Charleston Medical Societies, Orphans and Widows Society, Ahepa, Charleston County Pharmaceutical Association, Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Dr. Chakeris was an ardent scholar, historian and traveler. He and his wife, Nena, traveled extensively worldwide. They visited most continents including Asia, Europe, Australia, Americas and Africa. Dr. Chakeris was also a gifted musician with Chopin being his favorite composer.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Nena; three devoted sons: Johnny Chakeris (Caroline), Constantine "Costa" Chakeris (Angie) and Anastasios "Taso" Chakeris (Ashley) all of Charleston, SC; seven adoring grandchildren: Sara, Mary Hope, John, David, Kendall, Ava and Clay; sisters: Lythea Gatgounis (John) of Charleston, SC and Eva Henry of Clemson, SC; brother, Jimmy Chakeris of Greenville, SC; several nieces and nephews: George Gatgounis, Helen (Jerry) Ulmer and their children, Daniel and Ruslan, Johnny (Kristen) Gatgounis, Anastasia Churdar and her children, Ellie and Johnny, David (April) Henry and their child Jonah, and Etta Henry. Dr. Chakeris was predeceased by his brother, Alex Chakeris and brother-in-law, Albert Henry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425 or East Cooper Baptist Church, 361 Egypt Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street, Charleston, SC 29403.