Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 16, 2016

Harry G. Karras, Ph.D passed away early Monday morning, May 16, 2016, and will be celebrated Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC. Visitation will start at 1 PM with the services beginning at 2 PM.

Harry was born Eleutherios Kostandinos Karagounis in Agrinion, Greece on May 14, 1939, and was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Gus Karras and Lambrini Koltsidas Karras. His early years were deeply impacted by his experiences in German occupied Greece when his family survived by hiding in the mountains.

Arriving in Concord, NC in 1946, he became Harry Karras named after President Harry Truman.

All knew Harry for a scholar as he quickly learned English and pursued first, physics studies at Duke University and eventually the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, graduating in 1970. He completed a year's internship at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA. He was Director of Consultation, Education, Research and Training at the Mental Health Center on Billingsley Road in Charlotte.

Harry was a master clinician of the highest degree and devoted his professional career to helping people live better lives. He had many specializations including obtaining his approved Consultant Status in Clinical Hypnosis after years of training.

Always a student, Harry supervised many beginning therapists, and held the highest ethical standards. He seemed unaware of how either his direct and personal work with people or his training of others cast a vast ripple of healing and helping. So many have been touched by his caring ways, and always with an irrepressible sense of humor and delight.

Harry enjoyed his wife of 49 years, Jeanne Pappas Karras working along side him in his Charlotte Psychotherapy Clinic from 1972 until 2003. In retirement, Harry continued to mentor, study and learn. Within the Mecklenburg Psychological Association, he was President and Past President and Chairman of the Ethics and Professional Practice Committee for the North Carolina Psychological Association.

His passion was music, and in the early 60's, Harry was both a performer and a producer of beach music earning three gold records for songs he produced and published. This interest continued all his life.

Harry is survived by the love of his life, his wife Jeanne Karras and his son, Dr. Dean Karras; his wife, Michelle; four grandchildren, Christopher, Eleni, Sabrina and Tony all of Wilmington, NC and one godchild, Emily Ferguson of Charlotte, NC.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral Building Fund.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Phone: 704 641-7606