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On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, Jeff Kithianis, a loving husband and father of five children passed away at his home in Myrtle Beach at the age of 51. Jeff was born on June 17, 1968, in Charlotte N.C. to Betty and Stavros Kithianis. Mr. Kithianis was a 1991 graduate of the University of South Carolina-Coastal Carolina College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and held various positions throughout the years he worked. Jeff dedicated over 20 years of his life to the food service industry in his family's restaurants, as well as over five years to the pest control management industry at Lane's Professional Pest Elimination. For the entirety of his 51 years on this earth, Jeff was an educator; he taught writing camps at Abiding Village, tutored in the Avid program at Conway High School and substituted at many local schools, including Coastal Leadership Academy and Bridgewater Academy. Jeff loved sharing his wealth of eclectic information and complex opinions to everyone he came in contact with; however, his deepest passions and innermost thoughts lay in the countless leather-bound Moleskine journals that he carried with him everywhere he went. Even days before he left us, he wrote about everything, including his 14 month battle with the nefarious beast named cancer. Jeff was killed when he rushed into a burning orphanage in Russia to save a group of adorable children. Or maybe when his liver failed. Or maybe not. We all know how he liked to tell stories. "More on that later..." In many entries, Jeff wrote about his experience with pancreatic cancer. On May 26, 2019, he wrote, "The cancer has spread to my liver. This is bad. It's about the worst thing that could happen. But my team is proceeding without pause. It's bad, but not a death sentence. So we're moving on. It's gonna be a hot and uncomfortable summer… what fun." Jeff never lost his spirit, even when faced with the prospect of death, his essence remained un-weathered, witty, dry, but always hopeful. His faith carried him through many rough days. His love of music carried him through others. He touched the lives of numerous people. He loved his entire family with his whole heart. He was a Christ follower and wrote much about faith. He loved every child he met. His friends were just as important as family. He was a superhero. That is why the memory of his life will be cherished and remembered forever. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Stavros and Betty; and his first wife, Andrea Carden Kithianis. He is survived by his adored wife, Deb of Myrtle Beach; his amazing five children, Coralie, Stavros, and Trinity all of Myrtle Beach, Thomas of Wisconsin, and Jourdahn (Brian) of Myrtle Beach, his beloved first granddaughter, Esmeralda Rose of Myrtle Beach; his incomparable brother, George (Thomas) of Mt. Pleasant; his sister and best friend, Carrie (Mikell Anne) of Charleston; and several cousins, nieces and a nephew. And we were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from him. Hebrews 12:1 and 2 The family will receive friends at Christ United Church, 2901 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 4:00-4:45 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 5:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Jeff Dunn to celebrate his life. A reception will follow at the church. Please sign the online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Carolina Forest Chapel, is serving the family.

Tributes

Jeff S. Kithianis

June 17, 1968 - June 25, 2019