John Fotopoulos

John S.(Gene) Fotopoulos, belovedly known as “Foto,” passed away peacefully at his home in Playa Del Carmen, MX.  just days after his 90th birthday.

Foto was born in Newton, Kansas and raised in Hutchinson.  He excelled as an athlete at Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Junior College and the University of Kansas. During his High School career, he starred as Quarterback of the Varsity Football Team, Captain of the Varsity Basketball Team and The Kansas State High School Singles Tennis Champion. Foto went on to achieve the #1 Tennis ranking in Junior College and was named as a Juco College All-Star in Basketball.

Foto was recruited to play both Basketball and Tennis at the University of Kansas, and played basketball under head coach Phog Allen. He was a member of the 1952 NCAA National Championship Basketball Team and was inducted into the KU Sports Hall of Fame. Foto was also the #1 player on the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team.

The University Daily Kansan once described Foto as: “possibly KU’s greatest athlete, pound for pound.”

Foto was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and proudly served in the military based in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Shortly thereafter, he met and married Helen Tergin.  Together they raised their children Carrie and Sam.

Successful business interests include Foto’s Office Systems, which he founded in 1961, and is now entering its 60th year in business.  He also started Foto’s Properties Mexico, in his favorite home away from home Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Foto shared his time between Kansas City and Playa Del Carmen for the past 26 years…and cherished so many friends from both these cities.

Foto was preceded in death by his parents:  Sam and Mary Fotopoulos and his sister, Helen Bakeris.

Foto is survived by his brother, Paul Fotopoulos (Toula), Potomac, MD; His children:  Carrie (Dr. Cris) Barnthouse and Sam (Angie) Fotopoulos. His grandchildren Kristi (Ryan) McNearney, Dr. Nick (Dr. Maggie) Barnthouse,  Christopher Fotopoulos, Mimi Fotopoulos and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11:00am – 1:00 pm, Friday, October 1, 2021, at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave.  A private funeral service will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, and a celebration of life in Playa Del Carmen at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wornall Road Kansas City, Missouri  64145. https://www.annunciationkc.org/