Steve George Kogianes

Steve George Kogianes

September 23, 1927 – March 28, 2023

Steve George Kogianes, age 95 also affectionately known as “Stevie” was born at home in Provo, Utah in the “Indian Hills” area to George D Kogianes and Elpeneke Leventis, immigrants from Crete. He was the third of 10 children (9 boys and 1 girl). Working on his family fruit farm at a very young age Steve learned the value of hard work. He went on to work for the Forest Service and Ironton before beginning his career with Geneva Steel.

Steve served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War where he was assigned to the engineer division doing demolition duty from September 21, 1950 to June 20, 1952. He was honorably discharged and awarded the Korean Service Metal with 4 Bronze Service Stars. Upon Returning from his duties he returned back to his job at Geneva Steel working in the rolling mills and blast furnace. He retired from Geneva after 33 years.

After meeting Marian Kanakis at a Greek Orthodox Church function in Price, Utah, he spent his weekends driving from Provo to Price for the next five years courting Marian. They married in a double wedding ceremony with Marian’s brother Lynn and his wife Iva in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 3, 1959. They renewed their vows in a Greek Orthodox ceremony at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church years later with their four daughters present.

Steve and Marian made their home on a farm in American Fork, Utah where they raised their four daughters and warmly welcomed their nieces Charlotte and Nancy to live with them and from time to time friends of their daughters who needed a secure home. He also raised horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and other farm animals. After retiring from Geneva he worked at BMC West in the Truss division for 17 years. His hobbies included raising and riding quarter horses in the Utah Mountains and hunting. His vacations from work were spent to harvest crops and hunt big game with his brothers, sister and their families on their annual deer hunt at Squaw Peak. He enjoyed going to the local rodeo’s and horse pulling competitions with his daughters and grandson. He was a fan of the Utah Jazz and enjoyed watching the games with his grandson Luke. He loved nature and all things farming. He would watch Dr. Poll, RFD, and the Cowboy channel for hours occasionally giving in to watching a Hallmark Christmas show.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He is survived by his wife Marian, daughters Stella Pilcher, Karri Fisher, Stephanie Kogianes and Tami Kogianes. Papou to Stancy Hall and Luke Pilcher. Propapou to Shannon and Savanna Hall. He is also survived by his brothers John, Sam, Mike, Tony, Gus, Manus and George. He was preceded in death by his parents his dear sister Mary and brother Jim.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery 17111 South Redwood Road, Bluffdale, Utah with Father George Nikas officiating. Family will meet with friends prior to the burial from 9:00 to 10:00 am at Warenski Funeral Home 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah.