Harry Alexander Karetas

Harry Alexander Karetas, age 82, passed away on July 15, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was born April 25, 1943 in Reading, PA, but lived virtually his entire life in Myrtle Beach. The Karetas Family came to the Myrtle Beach area from Reading, PA in 1947. They owned the Seaside Cafeteria on Ocean Blvd for a number of years. Harry graduated from Riverside Military Academy in Gainsesville, GA and joined the army based in Nuremburg, Germany for 4 years. He returned to Myrtle Beach and began his first business, an Exxon service station and towing business. Eventually, Harry grew his portfolio to 3 service stations including 2 Texaco's. Then, he was ready to "switch gears" and returned to his roots in the restaurant business opening the first Dairy Queen in Myrtle Beach and eventually growing that to include locations in Surfside, Conway, and Mullins, SC. However, Harry had a passion for vintage cars that never waned. Harry always had a collection of cars he bought and sold over the years. His interests also took him to motorcycles, airplanes and boats. Tiring of the restaurant business and opting for something with less overhead, he opened a storage business that he owned for 20 years in North Myrtle Beach called Terminal Storage at the Grand Strand Airport. His final investment was Magnolia Town Center on restaurant row.

Harry had been an active member of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church and participated in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Zezefellis Karetas of 54 years, two daughters Michele Bourquin (Kevin) of Atlanta, GA and Mary Eisner (Jesse) of Orlando, FL and 3 grandchildren Olivia Eisner, Alexis Bourquin and Natalie Eisner, a brother Milton Karetas (Joyce) and a sister Mary Ann Lynch. He was preceded in death by his parents Alex and Aspasia Karetas and a brother-in-law Charles J. “CJ” Lynch.

The family will receive friends during the visitation Sunday, July 20th from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC.  A funeral service will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.  Burial will follow at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

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