James Donald Stakias

Asheville - James Donald Stakias, 81, of 409 Piney Mountain Drive, died Saturday June 16, 2007 at the Laurels of Summit Ridge. A native of Mt. Clemens, MI, he lived most of his life in Buncombe County. He was of the Methodist faith and was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine. He was a son of the late Alexander and Bonnie Davis Stakias and was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara McClain. Surviving are his wife, Martha Pless Stakias of the home; son, Dr. Jim Stakias and wife Mary of Kingsport, TN; daughter, Sandy Spencer and husband Jim of Concord; Gabriela Neri Avila of Puebla, Mexico who was like a daughter to him; grandchildren; Elizabeth Sites and husband Brett, Meredith Reel and husband Steve, Sara King and husband Daniel, Jennifer Stakias and James Richard Spencer, Jr.; sisters Margaret Drollinger of Cal. and Mary Spaanbroek of Asheville; brothers, George Stakias of Cal., William Stakias of Hendersonville and Nicholas Stakias of Greensboro. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 P. M. Tuesday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Skip Watwood officiating. The family will receive friends following services at the funeral home.