James Phillip (The Greek) Javellas

James Phillip “The Greek” Javellas, 86, of Pawhuska, Oklahoma passed away on 04-28-2022 in Bartlesville at Jane Phillips Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Monday May 2nd, 2022 at Calvary Baptist Church in Pawhuska, Ok with Mark Buchanan officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home. 

Jim was born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Tom and Grace Javellas on October 16, 1935. He attended school in Pawhuska, graduating high school in 1955 – he was very proud to always say “Lots of Class, Lots of Jive, Class of 1955.” 

He graduated from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa Oklahoma where he played football and ran track. He met his bride, Cleota McGaha, in Tonkawa and they married on June 16, 1957. He still referred to her as his “baby” or “girlfriend” throughout their 65 year marriage. 

He worked at the Indian Camp School where he coached basketball. When the school merged with Pawhuska in the 1970’s, he went to work full time with his dad at The Greeks. He and his father, Tom, owned and operated The Greeks Café in Pawhuska for many decades. Tom opened the café in the early 1930s - Jim joined his dad in the 70s until his retirement in 2013. 

He was a member of the Pawhuska Elks for many years. He also was very well-known for how big of an Oklahoma Sooners fan he was as well as his vegetable gardens. Jim was known for his big smile, hilarious stories, his ability to make a joke out of almost thin air, and his wit. We would like to thank the Jech family for taking Jim-PaPa as their own, no matter how many lawnmowers he broke.

Jim was inducted into the Pawhuska basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 for being one of Pawhuska’s most impactful basketball coaches.

A small list of his favorite things to do throughout his life were:

- Traveling with his bride and their lifelong friends in their campers throughout the United States.
- Taking his dogs out to bird hunt with his sons and his many, many friends. 
- Pulling his truck behind any backstop so that he could have “the best view” of his grandsons playing baseball. 
- Collecting any newspaper clippings that featured his grandchildren, whether it be homecoming royalty, football, cheerleading, basketball, and track. 
- Telling many stories and playing pranks/jokes on his friends, as well as giving the many people in his life funny nicknames. 
- Having many gardens that included his famous tomatoes, okra, and peppers.
- His favorite of all was being a great husband, dad, Papa, and great-papa, as well as honoring his Greek father’s legacy by becoming a true Pawhuska Icon. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Cleota of 65 years, sister Elaine Klusmeyer, 2 sons Tommy (Cindy) their children Aaron, Riley, Baylee, and Hayden. Jimmy (Joni), their children Jade, Jenni and Jessi. As well as two great-grandsons Cage and Nash Javellas.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to plant a tomato plant in his honor.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Phillip (The Greek) Javellas, please visit our floral store.