Countless numbers of people will greatly miss this remarkable gentleman, the late Farr West Mayor, Jimmie Papageorge. His service and influence affected so many, especially members of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, his loving family, the Citizens of Farr West, and surrounding communities.
Jimmie was born November 15, 1928 and spent his whole life in Farr West on the family dairy. Several years after graduating from Weber High School, he married Kay Thomas. Together they had two children, Alex and Christina.
Throughout his life, Jimmie was passionate about working on his farm and breeding good cattle. He also found great pleasure in his official capacity as Cattle Judge, which took him all over the United States. He found great happiness as he served for decades on numerous boards, on district committees, and as president of a company and his church in South Ogden.
He helped to establish sewer and secondary water for Farr West, and served on the committee that helped establish the Weber County Fairgrounds. He was the instigator and negotiator for property for the Farr West Recreation Center, the Senior Center, and the City offices. He helped develop the areas around these facilities, and helped two other City parks come to fruition. Jimmie helped incorporate Farr West City in 1980, and served in the capacities of both a councilman and mayor. Despite heart problems and bouts with poor health in the last couple of years, he served the city well - nearly 20 years as mayor!
After literally helping dig the hole to build the Greek Orthodox Church on 42nd Street, he served as a member of its board since 1964 - including several years as president. During that time, he spearheaded their annual September Festival that attracts thousands of connoisseurs of Greek cuisine.
Jimmie’s friends, family, and associates remember him as honest and trustworthy, tremendously generous, extremely hard-working, dependable, and constantly serving all around him.
Last year, Mayor Papageorge spent several months in poor health, off-and-on following a heart attack and subsequent heart surgery. Last October, at age 83, he passed away in his home. Newly appointed Farr West Mayor, Lee Dickamore, put it well when he said he would try to fill Mayor Papageorge’s shoes, but that no one could ever replace this great man.
