John George Pribas

John Pribas, 81, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Saturday, October 4th, 2014. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. John was born on July 25th, 1933, to the late George and Maria Pribas in Agios Nikolaos, Evrytania, Greece. John immigrated to this country in 1954 and was sponsored and warmly welcomed by the family of his late Uncle Nick and Aunt Demetra Dross. John was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and an active member of the Evrytanian Association. Many in the Charlotte area knew him as the owner of the Ole Smokehouse restaurant for over 35 years. He enjoyed serving great barbecue, taking care of his customers and greeting each of them with his genuine smile. After retiring in 2001, he was able to further his entrepreneurial spirit by marketing his famous barbecue sauce. He was also able to spend more of his time on his lifelong enthusiasm for financial investing. He enjoyed learning and much of his knowledge was self-taught. John was the eternal optimist and always chose to look for the good in other people and situations around him. His dealings with others were always characterized by his strong work ethic and character, integrity and kindness. John was most proud of his family and the life he built with his loving wife of 50 years, Vasiliki (Koula) Pribas. He was a constant source of inspiration to his children and grandchildren. He was their role model and hero. He championed the message that the "sky is the limit". John is survived by his adoring wife, Vasiliki (Koula) Pribas; children, Maria Pribas Diamantis & and her husband Michael of Charlotte, NC, Ann Pribas Papastrat and her husband Jon of Atlanta, GA and George Pribas and his wife Carrie, also of Atlanta, GA. His surviving grandchildren, Dean, Jonathan, Matthew, Christina Pribas, Christina Diamantis and John, who were blessed to have the most loving and wonderful Pappou. Survivors also include Nick & Demetra Sitaras and family, Demetra Sitaras and family, John and Fran Dross and family, Nick and Stella Matalas and family and Koula Litchos as well as many godchildren, nieces and nephews in Charlotte and Greece. Funeral service for John will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, October 7th, 2014, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. 600 East Blvd. , Charlotte, NC, 28203. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The Trisagion service will be held on Monday, October 6th , at 7:00pm at the Cathedral. Pallbearers for the service will be Chris Burlos, Nick Dross, George Evagoras, Jimmy Holevas, Dennis Kastriches, Sam Kastriches, Dimitri Nickols and John Sitaras. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28203 or Panagia Proussiotisa Elatos, c/o Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service; please share condolences online at www.hankinswhittington.com