Elias John Livaditis

Elias John "Lee" Livaditis departed this life on April 14, 2016, after a brief but valiant battle with aggressive lung cancer. Born October 4, 1949, in Columbia, SC, Lee grew up in Atlanta where his father, John Elias "Big John" Livaditis established Zesto Drive-Ins and Big John's Christmas Trees, notably in the year Lee was born.
Lee graduated from Dykes High School and then Georgia State University with an accounting degree. He entered the family business, learned it from the bottom up, and served at the helm, along with his younger brother, James B. Livaditis, after the loss of their father in 1995. The brothers, along with family and treasured friends, continued their father's business legacy which, after 66 years, has created iconic memories, stories and photo ops for so many Atlantans.
Lee was a devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, serving in leadership positions as President and Treasurer of the Parish Council, Finance Chairman of the Atlanta Greek Festival, Trustee on the Board of the Hellenic Tower, Chairman of the Cathedral's Hellenic Community Center, and Chairman of the Cathedral's Cemetery Committee. He followed in his father's footsteps in 2013 when he was made an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is the highest honor the Church can bestow upon a layman in recognition of outstanding service to the Faith.
Lee was a modest man of integrity and strength who became the family's "rock." He was devoted to his immediate family and to a large extended family that he loved to bring together at Greek Orthodox Easter for a celebration that continued the tradition his parents had started many years earlier. He was well read and known for his vast vocabulary and acerbic wit, often dropping witty bombs at the most unexpected of situations and just nailing it, giving everyone a much needed laugh. He played tennis avidly and was a die-hard Braves fan who understood and loved the game of baseball. He was a meticulous and gifted business mind that enjoyed the world of finance and real estate. He held a special bond with his dogs, and was a beloved and respected member of his family and community. He employed and mentored numerous members of the Zesto and Big John's families that are still with the businesses after decades. He was delighted to know that his first grandchild was on his way. The family is further grief-stricken that Lee was so close to experiencing his new role as the wonderful Papou that we knew he would be.
He is lovingly survived by Victoria, his devoted wife of 17 years, his two daughters, Anna (Luke Mount) and Emily Livaditis, and his step-daughter, Christina Horton (Major), by his brother James B. "Jimbo" Livaditis (Leigh Ann) and their children John, Lucas and Anastasia of Atlanta, his sister Crystal Livaditis Sloan (James D. "Bubba") and their children Jessica, James (Kate), John (Caroline), and Sarah of Marietta, and his sister Anita Livaditis of Cyprus.
A Trisagion Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, April 17, at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur 30033. Trisagion prayers are at 7:00pm, with visitation 5-7:00pm. Funeral services will be held 11:00am Monday, April 18, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Rd., Atlanta 30329. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt. Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs 30328.
Memorials may be made to the Annunciation Cathedral Endowment Fund or the Philoptochos Anna Mae Livaditis Scholarship Fund, both at 2500 Clairmont Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329.






Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033