Pike Township Family Stories
THE COSTAS FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 354-356
By Judy CostasGary Costas and Judy Costas purchased the John Loeb home from Ila Nash.
Gary’s family originally came from Greece, and Judy’s family (formerly Judith Thirtyacre) came from Germany. Gary and Judy moved into their homeon the first day of July and their daughter Amanda Lynn, was born on the fourth. A son, Gary Lee Costas, Jr., was born 23 July 1964 and died 25 July 1964. Their other son is Brian Lee Costas.
Gary was employed by Carver Pump company in Muscatine. During his years of employment there, he was president of the Muscatine AFL-CIO and was a member of the Carver Pump AFL-CIO committee. He attended Muscatine Community college, studying engineering drawing during the first years that he worked as a pattern maker at Carver Pump. Gary worked at Carver for twenty years, until the pattern shop closed. At that time he began working at pattern maker job shops in Davenport.
Judy was employed for 4 ˝ years at Carver Pump company. She became secretary of the Nichols Independent School Board. Later she became school secretary at the Nichols building, after the school reorganized with West Liberty.
In 1974 Judy organized the Nichols School Library and worked at both positions. She was named “Friend of Education“ by the West Liberty Education Association in 1981.
Gary Costas, Judy Costas, Mandy Costas and Brian Costas are charter members of the Nichols Community club. Judy organized the “Walk for the Park” to help raise money for a tennis court in the new Nichols Park. She helped organize and run the junior high and high school volleyball night at the school. She has served as vice president and president of the West Liberty High School Band Parents, and also as vice president and president of the West Liberty Chapter of American Field Service.
Judy Costas became a member of the Nichols Community Day committee in 1978. She was secretary-treasurer of that committee and secretary for the Centennial Nichols Community Day committee.
Judy, Mandy and Brian are members of the Nichols United Methodist church.
Mandy Costas graduated from West Liberty High school and is employed by Capitol Savings & Loan in Muscatine. She works part time at the Mark-It Shop in the Muscatine Mall. She resides in her home in Muscatine.
Brian Costas graduated from West liberty High school. He is currently employed [1984] by the Cellar Restaurant at the Muscatine Hotel in Muscatine. He has also been a Quad City Times newspaper carrier for seven years. He was also a Des Moines Register carrier for three years, and he carried the Muscatine Journal and the Muskie for one year.
Gary Costas is presently employed at the Keller Pattern Shop in Davenport.
Judy Costas is presently employed by the West Liberty Community School District as secretary and library clerk at the Nichols building. She is also District Advisor for the Quad City Times and clerk at the Casey’s General store in Nichols.
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