Gus Kefallinos

Gus Kefallinos of Rio Rancho, NM was born on July 7, 1948, and passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christos and Andriana Kefallinos. He is survived by his devoted wife of 35 years, Kathleen A. (Deckard) Kefallinos; his children Christos (Katey), Nikolaos, and Adam; grandson Gabryel Ridolfi Kefallinos; and brothers Anthony Kefallinos and John (Marilyn) Kefallinos.

Born in Zakynthos, Greece in 1948, Gus relocated to Chicago in 1955 following a devastating earthquake.

An active athlete, Gus participated in wrestling, cross-country, football, and ice skating, winning numerous wrestling trophies. After graduating from Chicago's Austin High School in 1967, he briefly studied engineering before enlisting in the US Army Reserves, where he served as a draftsman, becoming an expert marksman and attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Post-military, Gus worked for aerospace company Mech Tronics, rising to department head by age 23. Known for his skill with blueprints and model-making of each part, he was selected to train new staff when the company expanded to Phoenix. Later, he ventured into entrepreneurship with his brother John, operating multiple Shell stations and a Mobile carwash/repair business. Gus also renovated houses, teaching carpentry skills to his crew. He often joked he was a carpenter's son, but not "THE” Carpenter's son.

Gus met Kathleen Deckard in 1983, and they married in 1990. In 1996, they moved to New Mexico where they purchased and improved income properties in Albuquerque until health concerns prompted their sale in 2014-2015.

His diverse interests included sailing Lake Michigan on his 30-foot boat, photography, scuba diving, and refurbishing horse carriages. Well-respected in the equestrian community, Gus was active in two horse clubs. His passion for building manifested in property improvements including a barn, garage, coop, and greenhouse. He also customized his first Harley, twice, and assembled another from parts.

Gus was loving, patient, kind, generous, and self-controlled—a man with a great sense of humor, adventurous spirit, unfailing optimism, and remarkable wisdom. Truly one in a million.

Memorial Service & Reception to be held at AnchorPoint Church, 6751 Pasilla Rd., NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144 at 2:00pm. On May 29, 2025.