Demetrios Iwannis Koutsis

(Durham) James I. Koutsis (Jimmy), known to his friends as JK, passed away  peacefully at his residence in Durham, North Carolina on June 29, 2022. He was born on October 26, 1938 in Karpenisi, Greece to the late Ioannis (John) and Elaine Koumparakis Koutsis.

Jimmy migrated to the United States in 1953 at the young age of 15 leaving behind his beloved family in Greece to pursue the American Dream. Almost immediately after stepping foot on American soil, he went to work. He got his first job as a dishwasher at a small restaurant in Washington, DC. He soon added a second job as a busboy at the historic Mayflower Hotel. Before too long he learned to cook and soon after became a Head Chef. Finally at the age of 23, his dream became a reality when he bought his first of what would later become many restaurants. At the age of 26, he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served from 1963 - 1967. After being honorably disharged from the military he started his family and picked up where he left off by resuming his many business endeavors.
Even though he worked very hard and was a succesful businessman, Jimmy never met a stranger nor forgot where he came from. He loved his family, friends and countries both America and Greece, but his most precious love of all was "God". He was a longtime steward of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Durham, NC.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife; Phyllis Barnes Koutsis; son Michael Carr Koutsis and sister Marika Koutsis Kontoulas. He is survived by his son John James Koutsis of Durham, NC; grand children Elyssa Jean Koutsis and John - Michael Koutsis of Timberlake, NC; sisters Noula Koutsis Blatsoukas of Lamia, Greece and Robina Koutsis Papanagnou and husband of Lamia, Greece; brothers Mike Koutsis and wife of Karpenisi, Greece; Pete Koutsis and wife of Lamia, Greece and Paul Koutsis and wife of Athens, Greece as well as many nieces and nephews scattered throughout Greece.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday July 5, 2022 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Hall Wynne Funeral Home with a Trisagion Prayer Service scheduled at 7:00pm. 
In lieu of flowers donations should be sent in memory of James Koutsis to:

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

8306 N.C. Highway 751

Durham,N.C. 27713.