Dr. John Stathas, a long-time columnist for The Lake Oconee Breeze, died Friday, May 22. 

Stathas, a published author and psychotherapist working in private practice, wrote the Mind Your Health column published regularly in The Breeze. 

Stathas wrote candid and publicly in 2018 in his column about his diagnosis with mesothelioma, a form of cancer. His column covered a wide range of topics including relationships, marriage, parenting and self-care. 

Stathas was born in Green Bay, Wisc., on May 3, 1941. After attending 12 years of parochial education, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a degree in economics. Upon graduation, he matriculated at The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Ordained a priest in 1969, Dr. Stathas took up residence in Decatur, Ga. A few years later, Dr. Stathas took a leave from the priesthood and completed a Ph.D. in counseling from Georgia State University. He spent the next 15 years working in higher education. Then, in 1987, he began working full-time as a psychotherapist.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry, a son, Kristopher (Cara), and daughter, Brittany (David), four grandchildren, as well as other relatives and friends. 

His past columns can be viewed here: https://www.lakeoconeebreeze.net/opinion/columns/

His full obituary appears in this week’s edition of The Lake Oconee Breeze.