Theophilos ‘Theo’ Chris Katechis, 78, passed away peacefully among family on April 24, 2024, at his farm in west Montgomery. A visitation for Theo will be held Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1721 Mt. Meigs Road, Montgomery, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Theo was preceded in death by his parents, Christopher Anastasios Katechis and Annie Cumuze Katechis, and his brother James Christopher Katechis. He is survived by his wife Angia Abbott Katechis; his sons Randy Katechis, Theo Goodin (Michelle), and Gus Katechis (Nicole), his twin sons Chris Katechis and Chase Katechis (Kelley); and his granddaughters Trinity and Savannah Goodin, and Cora Rose and Constance Katechis; his brother Christopher ‘Christy’ Katechis, and his sisters Rose Katechis Karagan and Dr. Nia Katechis Terezakis.

He graduated from Auburn University in 1969 earning a degree in Livestock Animal Husbandry. Theo served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the USS Shakori Tugboat and later joined the Navy Reserve. Theo spent most of his life running Chris’ Famous Hotdogs in downtown Montgomery which was founded by his family in 1917. He worked alongside his father until his father’s passing in 1988. Theo guided the family-owned business beyond its 100th anniversary in 2017 and continued to operate the store within the family. Chris’ Hotdogs is a Montgomery institution known worldwide and much of that is credited to the way Theo treated his customers with respect and admiration.

In addition to Chris’ Hotdogs, Theo’s passions were his soulmate, Angia, and his sons, grandchildren, and relatives; the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Montgomery and the Labor Day Greek Barbecue; and bringing joy to his customers at Chris’ Hotdogs. In Theo’s free time, he enjoyed cheering on Auburn University and taking his boys to games, walking his dogs and fly fishing at the family farm. Before his passing, Theo spoke of how he had a great life and loved every bit of it and how he missed seeing his customers and employees. Theo was a treasure to the city of Montgomery that will be deeply missed by thousands. He served everyone from U.S. presidents and movie stars to those in need and treated everyone he met like a friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Mt. Meigs Road in Montgomery of which his father was a founding member. Information can be found at: https://www.mgmoc.com/give