Theotokis “Tokie” Michael Samarkos, age 85 of Tarpon Springs Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 2, 2021. Mr. Samarkos was born in the same home in 1935.

On January 6, 1953, when Mr. Samarkos was 17 years old, he received the blessings of the Right Reverend Demetrios, Bishop of Olympus, after he retrieved the golden cross from the Tarpon Springs Bayou at the annual Epiphany celebration. He was a graduate of Tarpon High School and a proud Sponger both on and off the football field. He also played clarinet in the HS band.

Mr. Samarkos served in the United States Army and was a Korean War Combat Veteran. In Korea, he received severe head injuries while supporting a large tent beam after it collapsed on civilians. He saved many lives due to his heroism.

He and his father Mike Samarkos owned and ran the Samarkos Brothers Sponge Company on Pinellas Avenue for decades. After his father passed in 1993, Mr. Samarkos continued to run the sponge packing warehouse as a wholesaler and as a retail shop catering to tourists.

He was truly devoted to his beloved Shrine of Saint Michael in Tarpon Springs and was a daily visitor after he recovered from brain cancer which took his sight and his hearing on his left side nearly thirty years ago.

He is survived by his loving wife Maria Elena and his supportive children Elayne, Javier, Moises, Daniel, and Lisset, his many grandchildren Christy, Rj, Cordell, Rachael, Holly, Lucciano, Estefano, Sawyer, Nicolas, and Carmen, his nieces and nephews Niki Marie (an RN who assisted him in his final week), George, Michael S., Vikki, Michael C., Robin, and Jodi, as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews who will also miss him dearly.

He was predeceased by his still-born daughter, his parents Mike Samarkos and Niki (Tsounis) Samarkos formerly of Kalymnos Greece, his brother Anthony, his sister Anastasia, and his nephew Scott.

The family would like to express thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Bay Pines Veterans Medical Center and Suncoast Empath Hospice.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center at 304 S. Pinellas Avenue, Tarpon Springs FL, 34689. Condolences may also be sent to the family at 509 W. Cedar Street, Tarpon Springs FL, 34689 and/or via email at jamodali2010@hotmail.com.

The memorial service for Mr. Samarkos will be held Wednesday, May 19th at 2pm at Veterans Funeral Care, 830 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL, 33765.