Nicholas "Nick" Fotis Karousatos

Nick was born on January 15, 1958 to Fotis and Anne Karousatos, in Washington, DC. After spending his early years in DC and Maryland, the family moved to Miami, FL., when Nick was six years old. Growing up in Florida, Nick was an ace tennis player, loved boating, cars, gardening, and cooking. Nick's true passion in life was cooking, he was happiest when he was entertaining and cooking for others. Famous for his Thanksgiving dinner menus, created straight from the pages of Food and Wine, and Gourmet magazine, he'd cook for days, so exhausted by dinnertime, he would fall asleep at the table. He turned his culinary skills into a career, focused on corporate product development, menu management and marketing for restaurant chains including Burger King, Marriott Hotels, Arby's, Cracker Barrel, and Sonic. His proudest career achievement was graduating from the Restaurant Professionals Course at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley. Nick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Resource Economics from the University of Florida, where he fell in love for the second time, with the Florida Gators. Nick would plan his Saturdays around Gator Football, perched in front of the tv with a smorgasbord of snacks watching the game. You could always find Nick proudly wearing his Gator gear on game days, generating friendly ribbing from Oklahoma fans during bowl games. He was a proud Gator! Nick's restaurant career took him from Miami to Nashville, TN, where he met the next love of his life, Natalie Walker. Nick and Natalie married in 1999, and moved west to Oklahoma City. Although claiming to not be interested in dating anyone seriously, Natalie was quickly won over after the first dinner Nick cooked for her. They enjoyed cooking together, traveling, and exploring new restaurants. Nick is survived by his wife, Natalie Karousatos; daughter, Laurel Karousatos; mother, Anne Karousatos, Miami, FL; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Becky Karousatos, Miami, FL; sister and brother-in-law, Penny and Dan Cuoco, Davie, FL; sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and Jim Krauss, Harrisonburg, VA; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Steve Weiler, Nashville, TN; nephews and nieces, Kris and Kyle Karousatos, Stephen and Matthew Cuoco, Andrew and Jonathan Krauss, Grace and Christina Weiler. Nick is also survived by his uncle, Dr. William Catacosinos, Mill Neck, NY; numerous beloved cousins and extended family. Nick's family wishes to thank Dr. Randel Allen, and the healthcare community at St. Anthony's Midtown, for the care and love shown to Nick. Dr. Allen loved the challenge of Nick's many medical conditions, and his research gave Nick more years than anyone thought possible. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Billings Fairchild Center, Billings, OK; Community Literacy Centers, Oklahoma City, OK; or the Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK. Nick's family will be available to greet friends at the funeral home during visitation on Monday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Trisagion evening prayer service will be 6:30 pm Monday, May 14, 2018 at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel with a reception to follow.