Greg Moutsanides Obituary (1952 - 2020)

On Thursday, April 9th 2020 Gregory Moutsanides, loving Father, Grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed peacefully in his beloved home in Eastern Oregon, at the age of 68. A celebration of life is to be held this summer in Eastern Oregon at the Rock Creek Schoolhouse. Gregory "Greg" Moutsanides was born on March 23rd 1952 to Demetrius T. Moutsanides and Lydia K. Moutsanides in Lawrence Kansas. Greg and his beloved little sister, Thalia, spent time traveling between Kansas and Washington, while their dad worked as a college professor. Later in his childhood the family moved to Seattle Washington where he graduated from Franklin High School in 1970. During his high school years, Greg was a very accomplished Cross Country runner receiving many accolades, breaking records and running alongside notable runners like Prefontaine. After High School Greg spent a year at the University of Washington before loading up his VW bug and heading to California with his best friends Bill "Willie" and Rolfe, finally settling in Baker City, Oregon. Greg started work here helping open up the Chevron standard station and Logging, where he found his love for the mountains and trees. Some of Greg's favorite pass times were long drives in the mountains, pointing out all the different kinds of trees, mushroom picking, sledding, hunting, camping and fishing amongst family and friends. It was during this time in Greg's life that he met his now beloved ex-wife and still close friend Sherri White and were soon married after. Greg and Sherri were blessed with four beautiful children and the loves of their lives Aleasha, Steven, Gregory Jr. and Amanda. In 1983, Greg and Sherri purchased their family home The Rock Creek Schoolhouse. The Schoolhouse became one of Greg's most beautiful and amazing passions after it burned down in 1995. Greg, along side his brother in law Monty, other family members and contractors rebuilt the home using all the original brick and restoring the look and beauty of the old schoolhouse. Greg's heart and soul was poured into his home and this is where some of his most known talents and masterful skills was shown, his woodworking. Greg was a master of woodworking, his beautiful skill, talent and mastery was shown throughout his home from detailed pillars, staircases, furniture pieces and moldings all designed and hand crafted by him. Greg's talent was so amazing and precise that a couple of his pieces were featured in the popular Woodworking magazine. Greg's family home was the center of his heart and the holding place for many family gatherings and special occasions. Multiple Christmas's and birthdays with his kids and grandbabies, his baby girls beautiful wedding day and the most notable for years, his Fourth of July parties were held here. This was the time Greg was the happiest in his life, sharing his home, passion and love with all those dearest to him. You could find Greg at these gatherings on a truck tailgate or kicked back in his lawn chair under the trees with a cold beverage and a huge smile on his face. He loved to dance, sing, listen to blues and other genres, including some of his favorite artists, Ottmar Liebert, Joe Bonnamassa, Santana and James Brown. In the early 1980's is when Greg took his first job as a commercial fisherman on the Arctic Trawler in the Bearing Sea. Greg continued his career for almost 40 years known as one of the most skilled and masterful Baader Technicians in the world, having the title of Maintenance Technician on Alaska Ocean since 1999. Greg had a love for the sea that would never go away. He spoke up to his last day's when he considered retiring for "real this time", that the sea and the boat were his second home. Greg's closest and dearest friends were made here and most during his time with Alaska Ocean. Greg loved to work, he was so intelligent and could never stop going and working on his next project. On the boat his friends shared his passion for this work ethic, he was able to share his knowledge with so many and joked he didn't have to cook his meals or make his own bed. Off the boat, his sister, confidant and friend Thalia was who he reached out to. She was the first person he would go to about advice, she understood his personality better than anyone and was the one person who could deal with all his Moutsanides quirks. All that ever met or knew Greg will forever be touched by his wealth of knowledge, talent and his infectious laugh and smile. A smile so big you knew it was completely genuine and filled with the utmost passion and love. A person like Greg is irreplaceable in so many hearts, he was loved so much by so many and he will forever be missed. Greg was preceded in death by his mother Lydia Moutsanides and Father Demetrius Moutsanides. He is survived by his beloved sister, Thalia Moutsanides, his ex-wife and dear friend Sherri White, His children Aleasha and Kevin Powers, Steven and Sara Moutsanides, Gregory Jr. and Kristal Moutsanides and Amanda and Cory Walz, 9 grandchildren and 1 on the way, and several nieces and nephews. His best friend and dog Remi, cats Mama kitty and Buster his flea bitten varmints. Stories and memories encouraged by all to be sent to Moutsmemories@gmail.com