Dr. James Leonidas Zografos

James Leonidas Zografos, 86, a family health physician/surgeon who cared for patients from his office in Pasadena, TX for nearly a half-century, passed away Saturday May 22, 2021, from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Zografos was a General Practitioner/Surgeon and became a Life Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1963. If a patient had an emergency in the night, he would meet the patient at the Pasadena General Hospital or make house calls. While known for his exceptional medical skills; also, he was noted for his very reasonable office visit charge of $10. Before retiring, it was increased to an “egregious” $20.

In his early years, Dr. Zografos delivered many Pasadena area infants. He followed the Hippocratic Oath by heart, thus would never turn down anyone in need. Even during his final years, he would shadow the healthcare staff at his assisted living facility as they cared for his fellow residents. As such, he affectionately became known as “Dr. Z”.  He referred to The Shores at Clearlake Assisted Living Facility as “the office”. His persevering oath to medicine and care of others could not even be erased by Alzheimer’s.

His parents, Leonidas and Zoe Zografos, originally from Greece, settled in Fort Worth, Texas after immigrating through Ellis Island, NY. Dr. Zografos was born February 1935 in Fort Worth, Texas. The son of a local restaurateur, he was only four years old when World War II began. Life was not easy for his family, but they made ends meet through frugal savings.

Dr. Zografos graduated from Pascal High School in 1953, and then enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in June 1955. While at the University of Texas, he achieved the scholastic honor of becoming a Phi Beta Kappa member. At a very early age, his goal was to become a medical doctor. He was admitted to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas in the fall of 1955.

In the Spring of 1959, he graduated from UTMB as a Doctor of Medicine and served his internship at Detroit Receiving Hospital-University Health Center. Later, he was board certified in Family Health Medicine. Dr. Zografos opened his private practice in 1960, and maintained an office in Pasadena, Texas. It consisted of a patient waiting room, examining/treatment rooms, laboratory, and X-ray equipment.

Over the years, he expanded his knowledge and experience by assuming various opportunities in industrial medicine. His assignments included Medical Supervisor for Dupont, later he would join Air Products Chemical Group as a lead industrial physician. Finally, his expertise would lead him to the Conoco-Philips Medical staff for five years. He simultaneously maintained his private practice while in each of these industrial positions.

Dr. Zografos practiced medicine until the age of 73. During the height of his career, he never had an associate, yet enjoyed every minute of it until retiring in 2008, albeit reluctantly.

He was a longtime member of Rotary Foundation International. Later he would be recognized with the Paul Harris Fellow Award only given to those who demonstrate a solid commitment to this philanthropic organization.

Dr. Zografos married Katherine Peter Laros of Galveston, Texas. Married for over 61 years, he was a devoted husband who had three children and one grandchild. When not working, he enjoyed his family and was a keen deer hunter. If not in a deer stand, he could be found in the audience of either the Houston or Dallas Grand Opera, humming the lyrics. He loved both classical music and opera, Regoletto and La Traviata were his two favorites. Luciano Pavarotti was his star performer, and he acquired most all his albums.

Emphasizing his faith, he was a devoted member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Galveston, Texas and the Greek Orthodox Church Cathedral of Houston.

Dr. Zografos is preceded in death by his parents Mr. & Mrs. L.D. Zografos, sister Mrs. Sultana Kartsonis, and son Peter Zografos.  He is survived by his wife Katherine, sons James Zografos (Rebecca Rinner-Zografos), Peter Nicholas Zografos, and grandchild Katherine Grace Zografos.

Dr. Zografos’ family will receive visitors beginning at 5:00 pm, Friday, June 4, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home in Galveston.  A Trisagion (Thrice Holy) Service will begin at 5:30 pm.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 5 at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Galveston.  Dr. Zografos will be interred at the historically recognized Galveston Greek Orthodox Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his honor to Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Galveston.  Donations may also be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/.