PBV arrived into this world during the Depression years on February 11, 1930, in San Diego, California.  Born at home (doctors and hospitals cost too much in 1930) to Edna Mary King of Searcy, Arkansas, and Pete Vamvakas of Istanbul, Turkey.  His Greek father had traveled solo by ship to Ellis Island at age 14 around 1877.  Young Pete lived in Dallas from 1931 to 1938.  In 1939 Pete's mother and father built a small grocery store near Shady Grove and Story   Road in rural Irving, Texas.  Pete's father died in 1940, and at age 9 Pete took on the job of helping his mother operate the P&P Food Store seven days a week from 7am to 8 in the evening.  Pete grew thru honest work habits and on-the-job training.  Pete graduated from IrvingHigh School in 1948 at age 17.  He and his mother operated the small grocery store until 1949.  Pete remembers happy days in rural Irving hunting rabbits and fishing in gravel pits in summer.  Pete joined the Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout with the Bronze Palm at age 15.  Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.  After moving to Dallas in 1949, Pete worked at Temco Aircraft Company and the Texas Air National Guard at Hensley Field in Grand Prairie, serving in the Guard from 1948 to 1954.  In 1953 Pete married the love of his life, Betty Ann Stroup of Blue   Ridge, Texas.  The prides of his life were daughter Mary and son Pete III.  Pete and Ann and their children lived in Oak Cliff until moving in 1971 to his beloved farm north of Farmersville, Texas.  Pete's life was one of "I can and will do it."  In 1955 Pete tired of mechanic work.  Remembering the grocery salesmen from A.W. Cullum and Waples Platter who had called on P&P Food Store, Pete found his true calling, sales and leadership, in the grocery business he knew so well.   He worked for Pillsbury Mills, A.J. Phillips, Economics Laboratory, and Plough, Inc, retiring in 1985 after 20 years as Southwest Regional Manager with Plough.  Never idle, Pete and his son owned and operated a Napa Auto Parts store in Farmersville for over 20 years.  One of Pete's passions was racing hydroplanes and runabout boats from 1953 to 1968.  The thrill of winning and the challenge of building a PR 65 engine brought him great pleasure.  Pete was a member of the National Outboard Association, serving as President of the Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana district in the mid-60's.  Another passion was horse racing.  He never owned a race horse, but as he said "I fed many of them."   LoneStarPark, Hot Springs, Saratoga, Belmont, Pimlico, Churchill Downs were among his favorite places to be.  He never missed attending the Preakness or the Kentucky Derby for over 20 years until May of this year.  Determined to see a Triple Crown winner and despite poor health, his final race to attend was the Belmont.  Restoring classic cars was another hobby and challenge Pete immensely enjoyed.  1941 Fords, Studebakers, Servicycles...Pete always had a project.  The second love, pride, and joy of his life were his four grandchildren, Kathryn, Dyann, Pete IV, and Alexander.  Pete said without Betty Ann to "encourage me to new heights, pick my colors, and give me advice, I would be nothing.  Behind every man is a better woman."  Pete's deep love and devotion to his family never waivered, and we will forever benefit from his support, encouragement, advise, and instruction.  "Only the strong survive."  A lifetime of memories and life lessons will never be forgotten.  We love you, Pete. Mr. Vamvakas passed away at his home in Farmersville July 16, 2014 and is survived by his wife of 61 years Betty Ann Vamvakas. He is also survived his daughter Mary Vamvakas of Farmersville , son Pete Vamvakas III and wife Dru of Farmersville , 4 Grandchildren Kathryn Koronka and husband Kyle of Round Rock , Alexander Knight of Dallas , Dyann Vamvakas of Plano and Pete Vamvakas IV of Waco. Visitation will be 6 - 8 Friday at the Hurst Fielder-Baker Funeral Home and services will be held at the Hurst Fielder-Baker Chapel July 19, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Farmersville, Texas. Burial will follow at the VamvakasCemetery at Snow Hill north of Farmersville.