Milton David Theros

Milton David Theros, 88, of Ann Arbor Michigan, shook hands with the Lord on February 5, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents Konstantinos (Gust) and Eleftheria (Alice) Theros and his brother, Angelo Theros.

Milton is survived by his former wife, Patricia (Pat) Theros, brother George Theros (Martha), sister-in-law Stella Theros; sons, Craig Theros (Hongyun) and Michael Theros (Kimberly); and six grandchildren, Nicholas Milton Theros, Yan Theros, Erica Theros, Alexander Theros, Adam Theros, and Kelly Theros.

Milton was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on June 13, 1936. His parents wanted Milton and his two brothers to grow up in Greece, so his mother and the three boys boarded a ship bound for Greece in August of 1937. However, those plans were interrupted due to the escalating tensions preceding WWII, so they returned to Ann Arbor’s Old West Side in October 1938. Milton attended Mack Elementary, Slauson Junior High, and Ann Arbor (Pioneer) High School, when it was located at the corner of Huron and State Streets. Upon entering kindergarten at Mack School, he had to learn English since the family only spoke Greek at home. He eventually overcame his speech barrier along with the prejudices that were common at the time against immigrant families. When not in school, Milton spent much of his time in West Park, playing and participating in a variety of sports. He also loved running to and from home to one of the many downtown movie theaters to meet his father for a matinee. At the time, movies cost 12 cents.

Milton excelled in all the sports that he participated in. During his athletic career at Ann Arbor High School, Milton was a six-time letter winner in basketball (2), cross country (1) and track (3). For two years, he was a starting guard for the basketball team. At the urging of his beloved track coach, Tim Ryan, he joined the cross-country team mid-season his senior year to place first for the Pioneers and lead the team to a 3rd place finish at the State Meet. His three-year track career culminated during his senior year where he was undefeated and won the 880-yard high school state championship at UofM’s Ferry Field. For his success in Track, he received a full ride scholarship offer at Western Michigan University but ended up going to Eastern Michigan University since his parents thought that Kalamazoo was too far away from home.

While at EMU, he met Pat. As Milton told the story: They met when he was hitchhiking to EMU and Pat picked him up and the delicious smell of his lamb sandwich in his lunch bag was just too much for her…They were married in May 1958! Before going on a date, they would go to the University of Michigan Student Union and Milton would play ping pong and take on anyone that would play him for cash. They always would leave with enough money to enjoy a great evening together.

Milton enlisted into the Army in 1959, had basic training in Ft. Knox, KY, and was honorably discharged in 1963. Milton worked as a bartender at many early establishments in the Ann Arbor area (Smiggins, Rubaiyat, Huron Lounge, Barton Hills CC, Apartment Lounge, Page One…), often working double shifts to make ends meet at home. After his bartending career ended, he managed departments at Gelman Instruments and Gallup-Silkworth. Later, he went on to a successful career in real estate at Paige Real Estate. Finally, he followed his dream to start his own business, TK Instruments, a mobile workshop that sharpened, polished and repaired surgical instruments. After selling the business to his son, Michael, he finished his working career selling surgical instruments. Throughout his working career, whatever he took on, he succeeded as his competitive spirit pushed him “to be the best”!

After retirement, he and Pat moved from Ann Arbor to north of Gladwin, Michigan. They took their golf game to another level, playing numerous times a week at their favorite course, Sugar Springs Golf Course. They later moved to Florida to enjoy the warm year-round weather. Throughout his life, his passion for sports never diminished. He played football, basketball, fastpitch softball, golf, and religiously watched college and NFL Football on television (and over the years he was known to have wagered on a game of two!). To his family’s dismay, Milton’s favorite team was the Ohio State Buckeyes, coached by none other than Woody Hayes. He loved Woody Hayes’ demeanor, tough and disciplined! This philosophy was also how he brought his two sons up. He wanted Craig and Michael to be respectful and to be the best at whatever they did in life, whether it was in the classroom, careers, sports, etc. Milton’s goal was for his sons to be happy, successful, and to enjoy the fruits of retirement in their later years. His teachings continued until the day he died! Milton will be sorely missed by his family and friends. May his memory be eternal!

A ”Celebration” of the life of Milton Theros will take place on Saturday June 28th from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm in the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Social Hall, located at 3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.