James Nicholas Paikos
James Nicholas Paikos, age 92 of Tipton died peacefully Sunday, September 18, 2022 at home. He was born June 7, 1930 in Tipton to Nicholas and Sophia (Nicholaithou) Paikos. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1948 and graduated from Butler University in 1952. At Butler, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
After his time at Butler he proudly served in the U. S. Army where he was stationed in El Paso, Texas and later in Anchorage, Alaska of which he often spoke of.
Jim’s father started the Diana Theatre in 1926 and also had the Ritz Theatre in Tipton as well as the Diana Theatre and Logan Theatre in Noblesville. When his Army service ended he came back to Tipton and rejoined his father in the family business, the Diana theatre. He started working there when he was five years old and continued there until this year. After his father died in 1980 Jim and his wife Martha operated the theatre. His children and grandchildren helped at the theatre.
Jim met his wife Martha Sarantos in Elwood. She was living in Elkhart and they married at St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church in South Bend on May 18, 1958. They shared 64 wonderful years together. Jim and Martha were blessed with three children; Nick (Christine) Paikos of Tipton, Georgia (John) Schwoeppe of Fishers and Dean Paikos of Carmel. Grandchildren include Grace (Randy) Wright of Reno, Nevada, Isaiah (Amanda) Paikos in Bloomington, Sarah Paikos of Bloomington, Phillip Schwoeppe in Brownsburg, Gregory Schwoeppe in Bloomington, Illinois, Dimitri, Yianni and Sophia Paikos all of Carmel, two great grandchildren, Jacob and Henry Wright in Reno.
Jim is also survived by his sister Syrma Sotiriou in Denver and a sister-in-law Toula Sarantos in Elkhart, cousins in Greece, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends in America.
Jim was preceded in death by a brother and a sister-in-law Larry and Ann Paikos, a sister and brother-in-law Tene (Art) Cheronis and brother-in-law Dean Sotiriou and beloved daughter-in-law Gladys Paikos.
When Jim sold tickets at the theatre and the customers asked for two adult and two children, he would say, “two tall and two small”. He enjoyed talking to people and telling stories about Butler, El Paso and especially Alaska.
When traveling outside of Tipton County, as soon as he reached the county line road and entered Tipton County Jim would say “this is God’s country”. He loved Tipton and his many friends and customers.
Jim was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Carmel, the American Legion, Austin Masonic Lodge, Tipton County Historical Society and was a founding member of the Tipton Gun and Knife Collectors Association.
The family expressed much appreciation for the compassionate and excellent care of Dr. Michael Harper, Dr. Dennis Dickos and Dr. Richard Jung along with the Tipton Hospital staff for providing the loving care during his illness.
Funeral services will be Thursday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton with Father Gregory Hohnholt presiding. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial with military rites conducted by the Tipton American Legion and the US Army will occur at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3500 W. 106th Street, Carmel, Indiana 46302.
Please, no flowers due to severe allergies in the family.
My brothers and I were just discussing good times we had at the Diana Theatre this past week. My heart goes out to the family for your loss. Mr. Paikos was a cornerstone of our community and provided so much to all of us.
I Would Like To Extend My Deepest Condolences To The Paikos Family On Your Loss. I Remember Going And Paying .10 cents To Him To Get Into The Movie’s When I Was A Little Girl And Jim Was The Sweetest Man. The Community Will Surely Miss This Kind Hearted Soul. May He Rest In Peace And God Comfort You All During This Time.
Martha and children and grandchildren, I am so sorry for your loss of Jim. He always called me young lady when I came to the movies. My deepest sympathy and prayers for all of you.
Mrs. Paikos, Nick, Georgia, Dean & family; Please accept our heartfelt condolences on Jim’s passing. Jim was such an instrumental part of so many lives through the impact that the Diana has had on all of us. I particularly remember all the fun times at your house over the years when I was staying with my grandmother. God bless and comfort all of you during this sorrowful time. Sincerely,
Bill & Theresa Zehner
I was saddened to see that Jim had passed away. I came to this community over 50 years ago and soon the Diana theater became a favorite of my children and me. This was the one place I could afford as a treat for all of us because the snacks were affordable and the movie cost. Jim and Martha were always friendly and had such a nice and clean environment. He will be missed.
To Martha, and the entire family, my sincere sympathy..I very much appreciated working at the Diana in 1960’s. The Paikos family have been a great asset to the communty.
John and I are so sorry to hear of Jims passing. He was wonderful and kind to all of us in Tipton.
My heart and prayers go out to the family.
Jim’s absence from Tipton will be widely be felt. I had no idea that the Diana was founded by his father so it’s been a family business from the beginning. Just think how many people sat in those seats. It was a regular hangout for kids on Saturday. I also remember buying my first hand gun from him. The Paikos Family was well respected in Tipton Indiana. RIP JIM
Knew the family when we lived on Columbia Ave. They lived north corner from us. Enjoyed many sat at the movies. They were very kind people. When we were little all the kids in our block played cowboys. all had cap guns. Shot it out with others in their garage a lot. They loved kids. God bless the family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
I knew Nick as a child when he took tickets. I got to know Jim as I got older.
Both were community gems.
I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Prayers for all of Jim’s family and friends…..and the community. We lost a great one!
Dear Paikos family, Sending condolences to all. Jim was a wonderful man, kind to this town. Sincerely, Stacy /Head family
Heaven has another angel
Thank you for your theater service and friendly atmosphere
Our condolences to each member of the Paikos family. Jim was a true icon to Tipton and will me missed by many.
-Ruth and Rick Glassburn
Loved coming to the Diana and Jim joking with me. He will be sorely missed by many. Thoughts and prayers for his family during this very sad time.
Always loved your smile Jim when my late husband & I had “date nite” almost every week at your theatre. Martha, my prayers are with you & your family. He will be greatly missed🙏💗
Joann Marvel
It was such a treat to see him selling tickets. Such a kind and gentle soul with such a soft and friendly smile. He will most certainly be missed. Rest in peace kind sir.
One tall- one small. Jim was a good friend to my dad… and always made me feel welcome.. I grew up going to the Diana Theater- Easter was always looked forward to!! He really made it special. – often I l stop in and just buy popcorn for me and my Momma and grandkids- I’m certainly going to miss him behind the ticket counter ❤️🎈
James was always a joy to see at the theater, he always had some fun, loving comment for us and sense my wife had graduated from Butler University they had a kinship they always shared. Our three kids always liked seeing him and enjoyed the fun banter he always had for them and the kind smile that always awaited you when greeting you as you walked into the theater.
James, you will be terribly missed but never forgotten and we will see you later my friend.
The Perkins Family, Noblesville.
I will always remember and thank you and your family for tons of years
Nick and family,
We just saw your Dad’s obituary this morning and were saddened by his passing. He was such a friendly soul with a dry sense of humor that cracked us up each time we spoke with him. Our short time spent around The Diana in 2017 will always be etched in our minds and hearts forever. Thanks for all the kindness your family showed us and may God bless you and peace be with you in this difficult time.
Robin and Mary Beth Coyner
I was just driving past the Diana theater on Tuesday for the first time in years, wondering how everyone was and thinking about all the good times I had working there with Jim and Martha and playing cards with Jim before opening the doors. Then to find out Jim had passed really hit hard. Jim and Martha were great first bosses, thanks for all the good times at the Diana, RIP Jim!
I didn’t realize that they had the Logan theater in Noblesville or the Ritz in Tipton.I have been to all four theaters as a kid and as an adult.
Always enjoyed visiting with Jim when he did his banking at Citizens. I also remember him bringing his mother to the bank also. He was always helpful to her trying to explain things to her.
RIP Jim
I am sad to hear of Mr. Paikos’ passing. I will miss him. The last time I saw him, we talked about how I remembered helping care for his father when I was a young nursing assistant at Tipton Hospital and that I grew up going to the Noblesville Diana. I will also miss requesting Tall and Small tickets and being nicely reprimanded when I arrived after the beginning of the previews.
Martha, Nick, Georgia, and Dean-
I am so sad to hear of Jim’s passing. I have SO many wonderful memories running through my head right now. I loved the way Jim and Dad would tease each other… Growing up next to you all and then working at the theater all those years- those are some of my best memories. Jim was the only person I let get by with calling me Little Terri… My heart is aching and the tears are flowing.
Love to you all,
Terri Campbell (Little)
I knew Jim only through the theater, but we have been regular customers for about 30 years. We regularly attend on Friday nights and brought my now grown children when they were growing up. I remember when they got the new digital projectors and had to raise the price $1.00, Jim said, now if you think that’s too much after the show I’ll give you your dollar back. My wife and her friends used to work at the Diana when she was in high school, so she remembered Jim from then. Jim was a kind, gracious, generous, and fair man who cared for all. He will be missed by all. The family and close friends have our condolences.
Jeff & Bonnie Martin
Thank you, Paikos family, for your friendship during my high school years. You took me to a gun show at the 4H building, and to a tennis match in Indianapolis, in addition to letting me work at the Diana one summer. I watched the original Star Wars movie for seven days in a row! I learned a few Greek words. You played tennis with my dad…
Life in Tipton was better with you all in it.
I always enjoyed joking with Jim when Angie and I would come to the theater. I would always say two children, and he would laugh! He will truly be missed by all of the community! Our deepest condolences to the entire Paikos Family
RIP Jim
Randy & Angie Gutierrez
Much love to you Dean and your family.! I wish you Gods’s Peace as you learn to walk here without him.
Dear Paikos Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of Mr. Paikos. He was there as we came to the movies with our grandparents and most recently with our own grandchildren, and welcomed us all with the same gentle kindness and easy smile. We will miss him. Your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers as you have been a part of our own family story in Tipton. God bless you. Allen and Ronda McCorkle
Jim was a great cousin to the Spentzos family. My parents Georgia (Spentzos) and George Stevens took my sister Pam and I up to Tipton to visit Aunt Sophie and Uncle Nick, and later in life to visit Jim, Martha, and the kids. So many fond memories of him and being spoiled when going to the Diana.
May his memory be eternal 🙏
Love to you all,
Debbie Stevens O’Reilley
I thought so highly of Mr. Paikos. He said to call him “Jim” but I couldn’t. For a while I took care of his ads that he faithfully put in the Tipton Tribune. He was such an interesting and kind hearted man. He had a wonderful sense of humor. His family is iconic in Tipton. What an honor to have known you Mr. Paikos! Prayers for your sweet wife and family.
I remember all the good times with Nicky, dating back from Jefferson School to working at the Diana. Those were great times. Georgia and I were both Indiana State students. We made that trip together several times. I knew Dean but not well. Jim and Martha were great people to work for. The days at the Diana were fantastic. Anyone who worked at the Diana, would understand this. Jim was a kind man to all who came in the show, and will be missed by all. He made Tipton a happier community with his wits, holiday give a ways, and his kindness. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.