Phil passed away Monday, December 23, 2013 after a brief illness. He was born May 5, 1930 in Houston, the son of Greek immigrants Pete A. Mousouliotes (Moss) and Julia Lardas Moss, the youngest of three brothers. His mother's family arrived in Houston from the island of Icaria in 1895. His father came to Houston from the town of Koroni in 1912. Phil was preceded in death by his parents and his older brothers, Arthur and Manuel.
Phil graduated from Lamar High School, class of 1948 and from the University of Texas, class of 1952. While at the University of Texas, Phil served as President of the Young Republicans Club and as President of the Chi Phi fraternity.
While in the business graduate school at the University of Texas, he joined the United States Air Force and spent two years at a base in Amarillo. Phil continued as a reservist and attained the rank of Major. While serving in Amarillo, Phil attended a Christmas Party in 1954 in New York City where he met the love of his life, the beautiful Anastasia (Stacey) Tsamisis.
They married May 12, 1956 in Manhattan and settled in Houston. After serving in the Air Force, Phil went to work as an oil scout for Houston Trunkline Gas Company, which later became Panhandle Eastern. Then Phil established his own real estate business, focusing on retail and multifamily properties. Always creative and willing to provide an opportunity, Phil befriended a young and charismatic entrepreneur, George Zimmer, and leased the first Men's Wearhouse location in his Briargrove Shopping Center in 1973.
In 1964, he was the Republican nominee for Texas State Representative in Harris County. He continued to stay active in Republican Party politics for the rest of his life. Throughout his life, Phil supported his church, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, which his father helped establish in 1917.
Phil was known as a dapper and debonair gentleman, with charm to spare. Phil loved to sing, and he had a mellifluous voice. He never met a microphone he did not like. Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter songs were his favorites. He sang at his three sons' wedding receptions, and whenever he was inspired, which was often. A true Renaissance man, Phil was very artistic, and he painted Impressionist Parisian scenes--par excellence.
Phil is survived by his wife of 57 years, Stacey; their three sons, Chad and his wife Melissa, Gary and his wife Louise, John Eric and his wife Tracey; and his six grandchildren, Chadwick Philemon, Reed McCollum, Anastasia Christina, Nicholas Madigin, Carolina Camille, and Alexander Harrison; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ernest and his wife Marietta Tsamisis (Gigi) Pekmezaris and their children Eleftheria Pekmezaris and John Alexander Pekmezaris, cousin Marietta Voglis, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The Moss Family will receive family and friends on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014, from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm, with Trisagion Prayers beginning at 6:30 pm. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 3rd, 2014, followed by a Makaria luncheon in S.P. Martel Hall, adjacent to the church. Both services will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77006. Burial will then follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77077.
Active and honorary pallbearers include: Peter Chadwick Moss, Gary Philemon Moss, John Eric Moss, Chadwick Philemon Moss, Reed McCollum Moss, Nicholas Madigin Moss, Ernest Pekmezaris, John Alexander Pekmezaris, President George H. W. Bush, The Honorable James A. Baker, III, Edward H. Andrews, III, Jay D. Kelley, Paul Loupakos, Thomas J. Lykos, Carl "Bud" Mengden, Michael Mengden, Jimmy Menutes, Kerr Taylor, Jimmy Verges, Jimmy J. Younger, and George Zimmer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Phil Moss's memory be made to the Moss Fund/AGOC, in care of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77006, (713) 526-5377, or to the charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
September 28, 2022
Frank Simonton
A memory crossed my mind this morning from my days exercising at "the Met" in the early 2000s. I searched for Phil's name online but was saddened to see of his passing nearly a decade ago. He was always so outgoing and friendly and genuinely interested to listen and ask questions of others. What an incredible and impactful life he lived.
December 18, 2021
Family
Gary Philemon Moss
We lost you on December 23rd 2018 to our Lord and Savior. I think about you everyday. Love you Dad
December 18, 2020
bert keller
a true gentleman; great example
January 9, 2014
Matt Evelt
Phil was a dear friend and mentor to me, he will forever be remembered. Best of wishes to Mrs. Stacy and the rest of the Moss family.
January 3, 2014
Amanda Smith
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
January 2, 2014
John Fain
I'm so sorry to hear if your father's passing. I know what a loss it is...
January 2, 2014
Suzie & Dave Jones
Our deepest sympathy.
January 2, 2014
Dear cousin Stacy,
We remember your gentle and loving husband with great respect and sorrow for his suffering.
The Nikolas and Gulino families
December 31, 2013
My sympathy to Stacy and all the family in their loss. Phil was a delightful man. Always positive....a pleasure to visit with him on my neighborhood walks. He was definitely one of the good guys and will be missed.
Joanne Driscoll
December 31, 2013
Jason Runnels
I feel blessed to have known Phil, what a good spirited, happy and generous man! His legacy lives on through his beautiful family.
December 31, 2013
Gary Moss
I was blessed to have my father to 83. He was a kind and gentle man with charm and grace. He enhanced many lives, especially mine. He is in our Lord's kingdom probably re-arranging furniture and paintings. May his memory be eternal.
Gary
December 31, 2013
COL William Gazis
From a fellow servicemember, thank you Phil for your service to your family, your church and your country. May your memory be eternal...
December 30, 2013
Phil was a pleasure to know and work with and will be very missed. My deepest sympathies go out to the Moss family....Elizabeth
December 29, 2013
We will surely miss our dear Uncle Phil.....he was truly one of a kind and a role model to his family and all who knew him.
Vasili and Debbie Hadjes Funti
December 27, 2013
we are very sad for your loss and are so thankful our lives were so enriched by his truly unique spirit and concern for others well being.
God Bless you all.
the Keller's
December 24, 2013
Stacy and Family, We are so sad about Phil and your loss. We had no idea that he was so ill.Please accept our prayers and deepest sympathy. Our thoughts are with you and yours,Sandy and Bob Herrin
December 24, 2013
TO THE FAMILY,I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TIME.PLEASE FIND COMFORT AT ISAIAH 45:18.A.W.HOUSTON,TX.
December 24, 2013
Carl Mengden
May God bless you and your family.
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