John George Colias, M.D.

Dr. John George Colias, beloved husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend entered eternal life after a heroic battle with lymphoma first diagnosed in May 2021. A son of Greek immigrants, George and Eugenia Colias, John was born in Waco, Texas. He attended Waco High School where he learned and excelled in tennis and won a tennis scholarship to Baylor University. He earned his M.D. at Baylor Medical School in Houston Texas. In 1971, he was called to serve his country as a Naval Lieutenant assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He served proudly, first in Okinawa, followed by a tour of duty as medical officer on USS Ticonderoga, and the LST USS Cayuga in Gulf of Tonkin and D’Nang recovering the wounded. He finished his service duty at the Long Beach Naval Hospital. In 1974 he entered the orthopedic residency at LAC-USC Medical Center’s Department of Orthopedics. Upon completion, he practiced general orthopedics in Southern California for the next 40 years. John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary (Canobbio), sisters Evelyn (Costa) Katsigris, Patricia (Ted) Antoniou, brother Nick (Melodee), and a host of nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces, cousins, friends and colleagues. While he had many interests, his passions included tennis, upland bird hunting in Mexico, practicing medicine, and his faithful companion BG. He leaves a legacy of love and memories among his family, colleagues and friends. He touched many by his sincere, generous nature. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas , 76710. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s memory to, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 617 N 17th St, Waco, TX 76707, Dominican Sisters Vision of Hope www.visionofhope.org, or to the Dr. John G. Colias Lymphoma Research Fund at City of Hope https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/JohnColias .