George James Pashales

George James Pashales, 86, died peacefully in his home with his family on November 13, 2023. He was born on May 24, 1937, in Clifton Forge, Virginia to the late James and Maria Pashales. He was the husband of the late Janet Beatrice Hudson for 38 years. George was a graduate of Durham High School class of 1955 and attended Mars Hill College and UNC Chapel Hill.

George owned and operated his family’s restaurant, the University Grill. He later went on to work in the food service industry at Macke Vending, Automatic Service Vending, and eventually retired with Classic Food Service where he served as CEO. After retirement, he opened up Jimmy’s Famous Hotdogs with his 2 nephews Jimmy and Steve Vurnakes. Among George’s many professional accomplishments include Atlantic Coast Expedition Board Member, Chairman of Coca Cola Bottler’s Association, Classic Food Services/Coke Board of Directors and both the North Carolina and Virginia Vending Association boards. He was named the Vendor of the Year in both Virginia (1986) and North Carolina (1998).

George was especially proud to have served in the Marine Corp Reserves. He was a member of the Rotary Clubs in Durham, NC, and Martinsville, VA, and the Duke Blue Devil Club where he served as president 2010-2011. He was an active member of Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church where he served on the Parish Council, was President of the AHEPA, taught Sunday School and coached the youth basketball teams. In addition to his many accomplishments his real passion was food, Duke sports, theater, traveling but most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by his daughters Maria P. Flegas (Chris) and Sophia P. Harvey (Dodd) both of Virginia; and four grandchildren, Paul and Christina Flegas, Megan Harvey and Lauren Harvey Schneider (Josh); and one sister Edna Searcy. He is preceded in death by his sisters Helen Vurnakes, Nina Pappas and Jenny Pashales.

The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 North Carolina Highway 751, Durham, NC 27713 or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Blvd, NE, Roanoke, VA 24012.

The funeral will be held at 11:00AM Friday, November 17, 2023, at Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church in Durham, NC. Visitation will be held on Thursday November 16, 2023, at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701 from 6:00PM-8:00PM with a Trisagion Prayer offered at 7:00PM.