* George Theophanis; Ex-Lancaster City Councilman

George Theophanis, a cantankerous former Lancaster city councilman who often found himself at odds with his City Hall colleagues during a single, tumultuous term in office, has died at a Lancaster hospital. He was 69.

A longtime Lancaster resident, Theophanis died Tuesday of cardiac arrest, said a representative of Lancaster Community Hospital.

Born in Frankfort, Ky., Theophanis served in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1956, he settled in the Antelope Valley, where he operated the Buckhorn Bar and Buckhorn Auto Parts.

Theophanis was active in numerous civic organizations for nearly 20 years before winning a seat on the board of the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency in 1982, where he served for six years.

In 1988, he was elected to the Lancaster City Council in a term marked by frequent rancor between Theophanis and other council members on a variety of issues. Supporters, however, noted that he was the only council member to support public votes on city land purchases and the only member to question a potential conflict of interest by the city attorney.

Tensions reached their peak during Theophanis’ 1992 bid for reelection when Lancaster’s mayor and several past and present council members placed a prominent newspaper ad urging citizens not to vote for him and denouncing his “disruptive and spiteful nature.” He placed sixth among 12 candidates.

“During my term I have fought for what I believe is right,” he wrote in his reelection candidacy statement. “I’ve been fighting for you, the taxpayer, to make sure every dollar isn’t wasted. I will continue to fight for your interests and a better quality of life.”

Among his many affiliations, Theophanis was a member of the Lancaster Elks Lodge, the Lancaster-West Rotary Club, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and local posts of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In addition to Georgia, his wife of 21 years, Theophanis is survived by three stepsons, Bryan Herring, Alan Herring and Steve Herring; a stepdaughter, Kathy Rippeth; a brother, John Theophanis; and nine grandchildren.

A viewing is scheduled for Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Halley-Olsen Funeral Chapel, 44802 N. Date Ave., Lancaster. Additional services are pending. Halley-Olsen is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars or to a fund in Theophanis’ name at Antelope Valley College.