J
ohn Yemelos, a renowned real estate developer in the New Orleans area and Mississippi Gulf Coast, passed away at East Jefferson General Hospital on Saturday. He was 82 years old.

    Yemelos' impressive portfolio included the Lakeway towers in Metairie overlooking Lake Pontchartrain, hotels in Covington, Slidell, and Biloxi, as well as subdivisions and commercial properties. His friend Nick Moustoukas described him as a master of evaluating real estate, able to assess a property's potential for success.

    "He loved the thrill of the chase," said his daughter Casie Rung, reflecting on her father's passion for real estate development. Yemelos' background was marked by hard work and determination; he grew up in the Lower 9th Ward with Greek immigrant parents who spoke little English. He graduated from Holy Cross High School and LSU, then earned a law degree at John Marshall Law School.

    After working briefly in Greece's shipping industry, Yemelos returned to New Orleans and began his real estate career. One of his early successes was a 1,400-unit apartment building, which he sold in 1979 to fund the Lakeway complex. He also founded N-Y Associates Inc., an engineering, architecture, and planning firm with his brother-in-law.

    While not every investment paid off – Yemelos lost money on hotels built for a world's fair that ultimately went bankrupt – his willingness to take risks was key to his success. His daughter Renee Lalla noted, "My father has always taken chances in business... By taking opportunities as they came his way is what made him the successful man he is today."

    Yemelos was an active member of New Orleans' Greek community and a devoted family man. He is survived by two daughters, a sister, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.