Athanasios Karapanagiotis (Tom Karas), age 82, of Hockessin, Delaware, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Tom was born in Athens, Greece, to the late John and Stamatia Karapanagiotis. In 1955, he immigrated to the United States with his family, beginning a life defined by hard work, faith and deep devotion to family and community.
He was a 1961 graduate of P.S. DuPont High School and later attended Goldey-Beacom College, where he earned an associate’s degree in accounting. On February 6, 1966, Tom married the love of his life, Klairy Papanicolas. They enjoyed 45 years together until the passing of Klairy on July 19, 2011. Tom and Klairy raised two children, Moley and Yianny and built a life rooted in love, family and community.
For 25 years, Tom and Klairy owned and operated Sandwich Corner in Wilmington, where Tom became known not just as a business owner, but as a familiar and welcoming presence to countless customers and friends.
Tom was a lifelong and devoted member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Wilmington. As a child, he served as an altar boy and played basketball for the church. As an adult, he remained deeply involved serving for many years on the Parish Council, as a proud member of AHEPA, coaching numerous GOYA basketball teams and running the gyro stand at the Greek Festival.
Tom was known for his warm, exuberant personality and his unwavering devotion to those he loved. He had a lifelong love of music and dancing and was especially proud to have been a “Spotlight Dancer” on American Bandstand. Above all else, Tom’s greatest joy came from spending time with family and friends, especially his beloved grandchildren, who were the light of his life.
In addition to his parents, his wife and his son, Tom is preceded in death by his brothers Peter (Taki), Michael and Chris and his sister Demetra Giannaras.
He is survived by his daughter, Moley Evans, and her husband, Nicholas, of Arlington, Virginia; his cherished grandchildren, Charlotte and Will Evans; his godson and nephew, Andy Papanicolas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and a wide circle of dear friends.
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