Tom Korologos, a distinguished advisor to U.S. presidents and former United States Ambassador to Belgium, passed away on July 26, 2024, at his home in Washington D.C. due to heart complications. He was 91.

Born on April 6, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Korologos was the son of Greek immigrants, Chris T. and Irene K. Korologos, who hailed from Greece and ran a beloved tavern in Salt Lake City.

He transformed his determination and political acumen into a prominent six-decade career in the Washington D.C. political arena, earning him the nickname “101st Senator” for his extensive influence on Capitol Hill.

His career began in 1962, when he left a successful advertising agency in Salt Lake City to join the staff of Senator Wallace F. Bennett (R-UT) as a press secretary and later as an administrative assistant.

His Greek heritage played a significant role throughout his career. Korologos was instrumental in establishing the tradition of U.S. Presidents inviting the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and other Greek dignitaries to the White House to celebrate Greek Independence Day, strengthening the ties between the U.S. and Greece.

Korologos’ served as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs for Presidents Nixon and Ford. In 1975, he co-founded the influential lobbying firm Timmons and Company, where he served as Chairman of the Executive Committee. He also played a pivotal role in managing over 300 U.S. Senate confirmations, including those of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

From 2004 to 2007, Korologos served as the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, where he launched a Muslim Outreach program that was later adopted by the State Department for global use. Earlier in his career, Korologos was a journalist for several publications, including The New York Herald Tribune, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force.

Korologos was not only considered a political giant but also a passionate advocate for his Greek heritage. He actively participated in various Greek-American organizations and was a longstanding member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

In his last public appearance, he attended a White House reception for Greek Independence Day in April, where he arrived in a wheelchair. President Biden recognized him among the crowd, and they shared a cordial conversation.

In addition to his political work, Korologos was known for his love of photography. As he once said, his hobby “keeps you in focus.” He was a proud contributor to Utah’s identity, having coined the state’s famous tourism slogan, “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”

He was a graduate of the University of Utah and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where he received prestigious fellowships. His academic achievements were further recognized with honorary doctorates from the American College of Greece and the University of Utah.

Korologos was married to Joy Goff from 1960 until her passing in 1997. He later married Ann McLaughlin, a former U.S. Secretary of Labor, who passed away in 2022. He was predeceased by his sister, Gregoria “Greg” Korologos, in 2021.

He is survived by his siblings, Mike C. Korologos and Elaine K. Guin; his children Ann (Lee) Bazzarone, Philip (Paloma) Korologos, and Paula (Michael) Lisbe; as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington D.C., reflecting his lifelong dedication to his faith and community. Visitation will be on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Joseph Gawler’s Sons funeral home. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington D.C.

Tom Chris Korologos will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and a beloved leader within the Greek-American community.