Vincent A. "Vince" Xarhadjizamtheopoulos

Vincent A. “Vince” Xarhadjizamtheopoulos died on February 22nd, 2022, at Timberlake Care Center in Kansas City. At 90 years old, his death ended several months of suffering from multiple ailments. Born Vincent Aloysius Evans on December 5th, 1931, his mother, Lillian Evans, gave him up for adoption at St. Anthony's Home for Infants in Kansas City. There he spent the first five years of his life being cared for by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul. He spent the following nine years at the Kansas City Boys Orphan Home, also run by the Daughters of Charity.

Vince remembered these sisters fondly and was very grateful for their kindness to him. He even remembered all their names in his last years of life, and would pray for them. While at the KC Boys Orphan home, Vince attended 6th-8th grade at Guardian Angels School, and he remembered frequenting the iconic Katz Drug Store on Main Street in midtown for ice cream. After the Kansas City Boys Orphan Home, Vince attended the Boys Town High School in Nebraska (1946-1950), where he benefitted from the guidance and example of the founder, Msgr. Ed Flannagan. During this time, he spent his summers in Eugene, MO, at the farm home of Ed and Nell Tellman, who became his foster parents. Vince had always considered Ed and Nell as his only parents and would continue to keep in touch with them throughout their lives. There were three adopted children on the farm: Eddie (now deceased), Dan, and Linda. Vince's kind heart showed through even as a kid on the farm. He would let worms and minnows loose to save them from being killed while fishing.

Dan volunteered to do certain animal chores that Vince had a hard time with because he never liked to see animals in pain. Even Nell would cover for him when he would bring small critters in the house to make pets of them. Vince also had very fond memories of a dog named Sport who herded the cows on the farm. Vince graduated from Boys Town in 1950, and two years later he enlisted in the Air Force. He spent two years (1952-1954) as a parachute rigger in Camp Hakata, Japan, which earned him the Korean Service Medal.

Vince spoke very fondly of his time in Japan and the friends that he made among the Japanese people who served with him on the Air Force base. In 1956, Vince left active duty and began a 45-year career as a "warehouseman" for Western Electric in the Kansas City Works plant. There is no doubt he felt at home in this environment with his enthusiasm for electronic gadgets, clocks, phones, and magnets of all kinds. Vince was also enthusiastic about basketball and kept himself in excellent physical shape through hours spent on the court with friends. Vince met his one and only love, Mandy, in 1979. They were introduced by Mandy's Aunt Kathy, apparently because Vince was a bit shy. On their first date they went to see Vince's favorite movie, E.T. They were married on January 15th, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Vince remained devoted to Mandy for the rest of his days. Vince changed his name about six months before the wedding. "I never did like Evans," he said, " It didn't sound right to me." His initial attempt involved a 33-letter surname, and this failed over concern that computer systems would not be able to handle the name. The small court battle Vince went through was documented by no less than the Kansas City Star. Eventually, he succeeded by settling for the 21 letters that made up his last name for the remainder of his life. Perhaps the thing Vince loved most in life was making people laugh. There was seemingly no person, place, or hour that was exempt from his puns, gags, and pranks. Whether you were an old friend, a new friend, or simply waiting on Vince's cafe table, you were sure to fall victim to Vince's homegrown humor.

Vince never knew a stranger and would give the shirt off of his back. He sponsored a child in India and worked to help a neighbor from Thailand gain U.S. citizenship. If you knew Vince, you probably received a ceramic mug or plate from him, customized with photos or colorful items glazed into them. In his life Vince must have given away hundreds of these to new friends, family or people he felt needed a lift. He was a devout Catholic and daily mass-goer who was especially devoted to praying for the souls of the Faithful departed. He kept a very long list of all the people he knew who had died, so that he could pray for their eternal rest.

May he now enjoy that rest and the merciful love of Our Lord, whom he loved so dearly in this life.

A Rosary for Vince will be held on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 from 11:40 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with Mass of Christian Burial following at 12:00 p.m, both at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 600 N Liberty Street, Independence, MO 64050.

Vince will be laid to rest at Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.

The family would like to extend an invitation to all guests to a reception for Vincent at St. Mary's rectory immediately following the graveside service.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)