Peter Kim Athanas April 11, 1949 – March 16, 2018

Peter was born April 11, 1949 in North Bend, Oregon to the late Mary Ann (Wilkens) and Alvin Cecil Athanas, and passed Friday, March 16, 2018 in Lufkin after battling liver cancer for the last year.

Peter had surrendered to a higher power and found his way to sobriety. Peter then committed the rest of his life to helping others find their path to a clean and meaningful life. Counseling, mentoring and supporting individuals trying to find their path away from drugs and alcohol was his passion and his calling.

Peter helped start and expand NA and AA in Bethel and Anchorage, Alaska for 10 years. Peter moved to Lufkin and continued working with NA and AA groups in the surrounding communities. Although Peter was not surrounded by his biological family, he was with members of a family close to his heart and his life’s work. His dear friends, JD, Diane, Barry, Kandice, Norman, Tammy and many others were near him during his time of need; he was surrounded with their support, love and prayers.

Peter’s older brothers include Larry and Randy Athanas, and younger sister Reyne Athanas. The children spent their formative years growing up on an 80-acre ranch in Ashland, Oregon. Growing up, Peter’s favorite pass time was fishing; he would always catch fish while the rest of the family did not, and of course he swam like a fish too. His childhood nicknames were Nimmer and Kim. The Athanas children ran wild on the ranch until relocating in the 1960’s to California.

In the 1970’s Peter attended Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, where he met and married Linda Wanser, and they had two beautiful daughters, Miya and Mary. Peter’s son, Darryl, lived with his mother. Peter has two lovely granddaughters, Charlize and Grace.

Peter was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann; father, Alvin; daughter, Mary; and son, Darryl. We hold his memory in our hearts; we wish him the peace he has found in God’s hands; we relay his message, “Love One Another”.

Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Athanas, Randy Athanas, Barry McKenna, and JD Deloach.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. A Memorial Mass for Peter Kim Athanas, 68, of Diboll will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Fr. Hank Lanik officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.