Ted & Aspasia's Love Story/Memorial

It breaks my heart to speak of the tremendous tragedy that my family has recently endured. The night of Saturday, July 30th 2016, just a few minutes after 8:00 PM struck, a fire started in one of the rooms of my grandparent’s house on the beautiful ranch my family has lived on for over 50 years. My grandfather, Theodore J. Kiapos and my grandmother, Aspasia M. Kiapos were asleep in their bed, embraced in each other’s arms, as they did every night for almost 64 years of their marriage. As they were sleeping, the fire swept through their home and slowly escaladed to the point of no return. My mother (Carmen Kiapos) was the only one home on the ranch that night. By the time she reached my grandparent’s home, it was too late and conditions in their home were too toxic and could have been fatal for her too. My precious grandparents fell unconscious, and by the time the ambulance arrived, they fell into cardiac arrest and severe brain damage. By the time my father (John Kiapos), my sister (Athena Kiapos) and I (Sophia Kiapos) got home, the entire property was swarmed with fire trucks, paramedics, media and neighbors. The ambulance took my grandparents, Ted and Aspasia to the ICU, where they remained until their last breath. Ted and Aspasia’s love for one another is a testament to what true love, pure love, and unconditional love is.  They passed in body together, but live on in spirit as they dance their way through eternal peace. There is beauty in all of this devastation: Praying over my grandparents as they took their last breath was truly the greatest honor for me, to have loved them wholly and unconditionally, as they loved each other and their family. Love conquers all.



Theodore Kiapos was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1925. Ted was a veteran who served in The Pacific Theater of World War II as a pharmacist mate first class. He later went on to Pepperdine University and was the varsity first guard on the the Pepperdine University football team who were national champions, highest scoring team in the nation, 4 years running. Ted Kiapos is honored in the Pepperdine hall of fame. He later went on to working at his family business, Omega Shoepolish Co., founded by his father, where he created many new innovative products that are still found on our shelves today.

Aspasia Mayakis Kiapos was born in Yonkers, New York in 1926. She graduated from UCLA at the age of 20. She was an elementary teacher for many years in the Burbank School District. 

In 1952 Ted and Aspasia met, fell madly in love, eloped on September 4th 1952 and later celebrated their love with the world as they were married at Saint Sophia Cathedral on November 2nd of 1952, as one of the first ever couples to be married in that church; and now Ted & Aspasia Kiapos' lives will be celebrated at Saint Sophia Cathedral, the place where they were married nearly 64 years ago.

By the grace of God, though the fire took nearly everything that belonged in my family's history... many of their photo albums, including their wedding albums remain... Praise God.

Unfortunately, immense damage has been done to the property, as their home of 50 years no longer stands with life, and only remains in ashes. At this time, as family and loved ones come together to celebrate the greatest love story we have ever known, we ask for your support as we give them the memorial and funeral that they deserve. My precious grandparents deserve to celebrate their lives with all the love in the universe.
 
On behalf of the Kiapos family, we have created this GoFundMe page in honor of our beloved parents and grandparents, Theodore and Aspasia Kiapos. Your contributions will allow us to give our precious grandparents the memorial and funeral that they deserve. A celebration of LIFE and LOVE.



"I'll be looking at the moon... but I'll be seeing you.."

Rest in Peace, Theodore J. Kiapos (April 17th, 1925 - July 30th, 2016) & Aspasia Mayakis Kiapos (January 1st, 1926 - July 30th, 2016)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6