Alexander Akopov

Alexander Akopov was born on July 10, 1933, in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia (at that time part of USSR). Soon after he started school the Great Patriotic War (known as World War II) began in 1941. Life around him changed sharply. His childhood was marked by the hardships brought up by the war: rationed food, tireless work by his mother Anna, while his father Sergei fought in the war. He fondly recalled the American aid that sustained them at the time, particularly the canned meat (akin to SPAM) called “tushonka.” He started working full time at the age of thirteen as an apprentice fitter repairing passenger cars at the Transcaucasian Railway company while simultaneously continuing his education at an evening school for working youth. These early years shaped his character and laid the groundwork for the resilience and strong work ethic that defined his long career. After graduating from the Tbilisi Technical College in 1952, Alexander had a highly successful professional career for the next forty years. He retired as a vice president of the company Gruztransgaz (an equivalent of Georgia Power) after serving in that role for over fifteen years. The highlights of his professional life included serving in the Army for three years and working abroad for extended periods of time in Afghanistan, Iran, and Armenia. It is fair to say that the driving force behind Alexander’s long and successful career was his desire to provide for his family – this was his calling in life. He and his wife of 61 years Emma raised two sons, as well as helped raise five grandchildren. In 1993 Alexander and Emma emigrated to the US following their two sons and their families in order to remain close to them. The next 33 years were filled with immeasurable joy and meaningful new experiences for Alexander and the rest of the family. A few weeks into their arrival in the US, Alexander and Emma enrolled in an “English as a Second Language” class at a local church – they wanted to immerse themselves in the American culture. Although he arrived here as a retiree, Alexander quickly engaged in meaningful employment. He remained employed in various capacities until his mid-eighties. He was very thankful to this country for giving his family the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms and attributes of daily life he was deprived of in his earlier years. Alexander made lots of new friendships in Marietta, GA and he was highly regarded by his friends, old and new. In his passing Alexander was preceded by his parents, wife Emma, and brothers Victor and Igor. He is survived by his daughter Inessa Shashiashvili; sons and their wives Yuri and Galina Markevitch and Val and Ashley Akopov; grandchildren David Markevitch, Kathy Akopov Guillory and her spouse Chris Guillory, Anna Akopov, Henry Akopov, and Andrew Akopov; great-grandchildren Nicholas and Amy Markevitch, Emma and Eleanor Guillory; as well as sister Larisa Tokareva, and nephews Kostantin and Vladimir Tokarev. in lieu of flowers please consider contribution to Alexander’s church St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church, 1765 Woodstock Road Roswell, GA 30075.

Alexander Akopov

July 10, 1933 - February 1, 2026