Rev. George Panagiotis Vlahos

Reverend Father George Panagiotis Vlahos, 85, of Clemmons, NC, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, August 5, 2024. He leaves behind his cherished wife of 61 years, Presvytera Betsy (nee Georgoulias); beloved daughters Chrisie (William) Alex of Burr Ridge, IL, and Maria (David) Swett of Davidson, NC; adored grandchildren Helen, George (Carly) and Peter Alex, Rhett (Tom) and Athan Small, Jillian (Cooper) Shannon and Joshua Swett; dear brother James (Marika); and many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Greece. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Father Panagiotis T. Vlahos and Presvytera Vasiliki P. Vlahos; his brother, Angelo (Maria); and sister, Helen V. Tsiolkas (James). Father George was born in the village of Daphni, Greece in 1939 and was raised in Klafsion, Evrytania. With an upbringing in the Greek Orthodox Church by his father’s side, he learned to chant and felt the calling of Christ to the priesthood at an early age. He followed his primary and secondary education with studies at the Theological School of Volos and service in the Greek Air Force, and after immigrating to the United States in 1962, studied at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA. Shortly after, he met the love of his life—Betsy Georgoulias—at a wedding in Winston-Salem, and they were married on July 7, 1963. Following his wedding, he earned a Federal Aviation Administration license from Piedmont Aviation Institute, then together with his brother Jimmy, began several successful restaurant ventures, in which they worked side-by-side from the 1960s until 1990. Father George was an avid fisherman, hunter and beekeeper who also had a passion for tinkering with cars; he restored and resold many makes and models over the years. Following the death of his beloved father, on March 31, 1990, his spiritual calling to the priesthood was realized when he was ordained by his spiritual father, Bishop Gerasimos of Atlanta. Father George was appointed proistamenos for St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Burlington, NC, where he served for more than 30 years. He was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian who was deeply committed to his faith and church, and touched the lives of many with his tender and joyful approach. Services will be held as follows on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27104: Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.; visitation with family at 10:45 a.m.; Trisagion and funeral service with participating clergy from surrounding communities, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, 2150 W. Front Street, Burlington, NC 27215; or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, at the address noted above. May his memory be eternal.