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George Gounaris Obituary
Dayton Daily News
OAKWOOD | George J. Gounaris, a tough, first-generation Greek-American who presided over courtrooms in Montgomery County for three decades, including Probate Court for 18 years, died Monday night. He was 77.
Gounaris retired as county probate judge in 2003, the year he turned 75, barred by age from seeking re-election.
Gounaris, a Democrat, began his judicial career when Democratic Gov. John J. Gilligan appointed him to the Dayton municipal bench to fill a vacancy in January 1973. He was not challenged that November. Gilligan appointed Gounaris in January 1975 to a vacant seat on the Montgomery County Common Pleas bench.
Gounaris, a barrel-chested former tackle at Fairview High School, helped capture a fleeing prisoner in 1979. The prisoner bolted from Gounaris' courtroom, vaulted the jury box and crashed through the gallery door into the hallway.
"Without thinking, I go out the other door (next to the bench), and out into the hallway," Gounaris said in a 2003 interview. "Then he does the shuffle with his feet to fake me out.
"I gave him a forearm and down he goes."
Gounaris won a contested open seat on the probate court in 1985.
In 1991, after Judge Carl D. Kessler died, the Montgomery County judges chose Gounaris to be presiding judge.
U.S. District Judge Walter A. Rice, a longtime friend, said when he retired, "He is absolutely the most genuinely warm individual, genuinely good person I have ever met."
Judge Dennis Langer, administrative judge of the general division of Common Pleas Court, said Tuesday, "Judge Gounaris was universally beloved by lawyers and by judges. He was a judge with a huge heart ... He didn't have an enemy in the world.
"He was widely respected and will be sorely missed."
Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
Memories and Condolences
for George Gounaris
40 Entries
Arthur Gardikes, M.D.
April 1, 2006
Dear Harriet and the Gounaris family; One sadly ponders the passing of someone with the great proffesional stature of Judge Gounaris. This stature is supported by his being a fine person in all aspects of life. I recall several happy, pleasant and memorable moments with him. He is missed. Certainly, the Lord has already taken him by the hand.
GINNY KARAS
March 31, 2006
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY. I AM SO GLAD I GOT TO SEE YOU AND GEORGE AT STACY'S WEDDING.
EVERETT THOUGHT GEORGE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN.
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU.
GINNY KARAS
GINNY KARAS
March 31, 2006
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY. HE WAS A GREAT MAN. EVERETT LOVED HIM SO. HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED
GINNY KARAS
Angelo & Kay Brown
March 31, 2006
Dear Harriet, Jim, Kiki & Nick: We were so saddened when George read us the notice in the Dayton paper of George's death. We spent the morning reminicsing of how he had entered our lives,each one in different ways. He was a good man who will be greatly missed. We have had you all in our thoughts and prayers.
With our deepest sympathy and our love, Angelo, Kay, and George
How you can show support
Nick Karas
March 31, 2006
Harriet & Family,
My thoughts are with you. I will always remember George for what he taught me as a young man. I have always tried to pass his level of standards on to my own children. He will be missed.
Simon & Stacy (Karas) Wheeldon
March 31, 2006
Nouna,
We just found out the news today about Nouno. We are so sad that he is gone and we will miss him. I have so many wonderful memories of him as a little girl and most recently at our wedding a few years ago. He was a wonderful Godfather and someone I will always respect and admire. Our thoughts are with you and your children.
With Love,
Simon & Stacy (Karas) Wheeldon
carolyn karas-tilley
March 31, 2006
Harriet, I just found out this Fri. a.m. of George's passing. No one in the family had heard anything. I am so sorry for your loss, I really liked nouno and found him to be a truly caring and thoughtful man. My thoughts are with you and the children.
Steven Herron
March 30, 2006
To Nick and Family:
I wanted to express my condolences at this sad time for you. Please know that you are in my prayers. I will always remember the help your father gave to me when I was in law school and started out as a lawyer. He is a mentor to many and will never be forgotten.
P. J., Rosalee & Pia Kanistros
March 30, 2006
To the Gounaris family:
There are no words to express my sorrow for your loss. May God take you in His hands and help you through this loss. Judge Gounaris was a wonderful man, with a great sense of humor. Those around him were drawn to his kind words and deeds. The community has truly lost one of it's great leaders. May he rest in peace eternally, and we will miss him dearly.
David Williamson
March 30, 2006
He was one of my mentors. Dear Lord, may I live up to his legacy.
Marie & Jeff Mee
March 30, 2006
Please know that the Gounaris family is in our thoughts and prayers. We adopted our two children and Judge Gounaris presided over their finalizations. He made our wonderful day even more special by expressing his joy over our children joining our family. We'll never forget him singing a Greek lullaby to our son. We have wonderful pictures of him with the kids that we cherish. He told us that presiding over adoptions was his favorite part of his job. It was very evident that he took great delight in celebrating families.
Susanne Wertz
March 30, 2006
Dear Harriet and Family,
Caring thoughts and love to you. People don't come any better than George. What a guy! All who love him will miss him but we all have a heart full of great memories to keep him near. Ours begin at Fairview High School and go to now and we are thankful to have known him. Your loving partnership was a good example of how it should work. We are in Florida still so won't be there in person but we are there in spirit and thinking of you as you send George on the path we all must take. With love, Bob and Susie Wertz
Laurie Griffin(Gounaris)
March 30, 2006
I Also Am so very sad for the loss of Theo George, He was a great man, who was loved by so very many, and will be so missed in our lives.
My love goes out to all of my family and all of his friends.
You are all in my prayers. Laurie.
Marylise Byrne
March 30, 2006
Harriet,
Being away in Florida, we will not be able to join you and your family at this time and I am so sad about it. He was a wonderful man and I compared every other man that I meet by the way I felt about him. He was a friend, a great boss and a genuine person.
Vicki Luneke-Moertl
March 29, 2006
know that your family have my prayers and deepest sympathy love Vicki
Carl DuHamel
March 29, 2006
George was a fine man one of the finest i have meet . He helped us through our time of trouble ,with my mom and Grandmother . I was a friend of John Zarka and am still a friend of Dorothy ,My heart goes out to you and your family . May God Bless you in your time of sorrow ! Carl DuHamel
JOHN GOLDMAN
March 29, 2006
My sincere condolences to all the family;Harriet,a wonderful teacher,Kiki,a joyful woman,Nicholas,who was a baby when I last saw him,and of course Jimmy,my friend.So sorry for your loss.
With love,John and Joan
Nick Zois
March 29, 2006
Focused, innovative, dynamic and committed. George was a leader, a mentor, a friend an inpiration to all of us AHEPAN's.
While his time with us was finite, his legacy is boundless.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and his colleagues as we all mourn the loss of a vivacious man who showed us all how to seize opportunities and make them real.
God bless his soul.
Nick Zois
President AHEPA CHAPTER #113
David Laughter
March 29, 2006
On behalf of the entire Laughter family, our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Judge Gounaris was a very kind and gentle man. He will be missed by all who were a part of his life. The Judge really enjoyed the Bogie Busters golf tournament. I am proud to say that he was a dear friend of mine. May God be with the entire Gounaris family during this time of great loss and grieving.
Chris and Katie Ambrose
March 29, 2006
One of my brother's and I earliest memories are of "Uncle George" tilling our garden in our side yard. Growing up we had the pleasure of learning from Uncle George. No specific lesson or idea stands out, but his example of how a good friend treats the ones he loves is enough. Kindness, thoughtfullness, wisdom, and fairness are all descriptives that permeated everything he is and still is to us. I coached with his brother Alex, was employed by his brother Dino while in school and was deputized one summer in his court. My wife Katie and I will miss him dearly. Harriet and Nick, your husband and father was a man with whom honor was sacred and virtue safe...a true gentleman whos legacy has touched and improved the lives of all he encountered.
All my best,
Chris Ambrose
Laura Pitstick
March 29, 2006
Dear Nick & Family,
Coincidentally, my e-mail bible study delivered a message today about the influence of your father in your life. It would seem that this scripture is quite appropriate for your dad's life! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord and do what is right and just.
Genesis 18:19 NLT
Melissa Sutter
March 29, 2006
Nick and Family:
I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss. Your dad was well respected in the Montgomery County Criminal Justice System. I remember when you first started practing law. I was told by Area II Court personel to be "nice" to you. I told them that there was no way that you were Judge Gounaris' son. In time, I learned that you were "just" like your father. Our professional friendship was formed. I cherish the many laughs that we shared. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Stay strong!
Melissa
MC Adult Probation Officer
Paula (Wilcox) Peralli
March 29, 2006
Nick and Family, I am so sorry to learn about the loss of your father. You will be in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Deme Varidin
March 29, 2006
Harriet, a loving soul has left this earth and may his memory be eternal. The Gounaris Family and the Varidin Family's Friendship go back to birth. He will be missed and we all will cherish his memories. My love to you and the family. Always Your Friend...Deme
Jennie Lahman
March 29, 2006
Dear Nick and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about the death of Judge Gounaris. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Molly Szakal Stiver
March 29, 2006
The first time I met the Judge, I was a prospective juror in one of his courtrooms. The case involved a policeman and I did not believe I could be impartial as my father was a retired Dayton detective sgt. The judge asked me his name and then a couple more questions. He told me I was dismissed and then leaned over the bench saying, "And tell Georgie I said hello" with a smile on his face. The last time I saw the Judge was 15 years later. My father had died and there was Judge Gounaris at the funeral home to offer his sympathy and tell us what a good man my dad was. I felt honored that he attended. My prayers to your family for the loss of another good man named George.
Phil Johnson
March 29, 2006
My deepest sympathy to brother Alex and the entire Gounaris family.
Nancy Market-Steinert
March 29, 2006
The Fairview Alumni Association was so honored to enter Judge Gounaris into the first Fairview High School Alumni Hall of Fame in August 2005. His allowing us to do so, and his participating in our event, was so meaningful to us. We will continue to remember and honor him as the successful and kind man he was. Our sincere condolences to Harriet and the rest of the Gounaris family.
With sympathy,
The Fairview Alumni Association:
Clifford Pierce, Nancy Marker-Steinert, Michelle Pierce-Mobley and Herman Romeiser.
Anthony Vradelis
March 29, 2006
Harriett and Family: Judge and I had known each other for the past 75 years. It is difficult say in a few words what a great person George was; suffice it to say, George was one of a kind and he will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him.
God Bless you and all of his loved ones.
Karmen and Tony Vradelis
Trishia (Langley) Monaco
March 29, 2006
Nick and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Linda and Jerry Roden
March 29, 2006
Dear Harriet, Nick and Family,
George was the most wonderful man. Through the years, he gave his love, support and wise advice that benefited our family and all who knew him. So sorry about your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Linda and Jerry Roden
Jack and Rita Forbes
March 29, 2006
May we offer our deepest sympathies.
Betsy & Mark Borling
March 28, 2006
We are praying for all of the Gounaris family at the loss of their wonderful Father/Husband. He lived a wonderful life and was special to many people. He will be missed greatly.
Anthony Gounaris
March 28, 2006
George was an excellent roll model and a man to whom I was honored to share my name with. His presence will be missed by many and his words of wisdom to a young and impatient UD student will be treasured by me for life. My deepest condolences go out to our entire family.
Anthony Gounaris (Great Nephew)
Alex Gounaris
March 28, 2006
I am so sorry for the loss of my Uncle George. He was a great person and a great friend. I love you, Uncle George
Alex
DEREK FOLLEY
March 28, 2006
JUDGE GEORGE J. GOUNARIS WAS A GOOD MAN AND AN EXCELLENT JUDGE IN THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY AREA. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF OTHER JUDGES COULD FOLLOW HIS LEGACY. I REMEMBER AS I WAS ATTENDING CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY AS A FULLTIME STUDENT AND WORKING AT THOMPSON HINE & FLORY AND AS A COURT RUNNER I WOULD PLAY CHESS WITH THE JUDGE AND SOME OF THE MAGISTRATES ON MY LUNCH BREAK. THE JUDGE WOULD WRITE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION AT A DROP OF A DIME. I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DEDICATED IN HONOR OF SUCH GREAT MAN LIKE THE JUDGE GOUNARIS. THE JUDGE NEVER ALLOW LOCAL POLITICS TO COME BETWEEN FRIENDSHIP. HE WAS A GOOD MAN. AND WILL BE MISS BY MANY. ALTHOUGH, I AM CALIFORNIA, I WISH THE GOUNARIS FAMILY THE BEST. AND MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THEM. BELOW IS A PSALM THAT WRITTEN A COUPLE YEARS BACK.
"PSALM FROM DEREK FOLLEY TO GOD"#42
ALL MIGHTY GOD!
Is The Rock To My Salvation.
Maker Of Heaven And Earth
And Every Creation.
The LORD Thy GOD
Is So Merciful And Just
My HEAVENLY FATHER
Is Where I Place My Trust.
Praise The LORD!
Each And Every Day.
For The LORD Thy GOD
Will Pave The Way.
My HEAVENLY FATHER
Will Bring Me To Green Pasture.
I Am Thy Humble Servant
And The LORD Thy GOD
Is My Master.
Give Praises The Holy Name Of The LORD
My Congregation.
Both Men And Women Of Every Nation.
Serve The LORD
For The Rest Of Your Life.
Every Husband Should Be Rejoicing
With His Own Wife.
Love The LORD
With All Your Heart.
And Your Blessings
Will Come All At Once
And Not In Part.
Judge George J. Gounaris was indeed a blessing in my life.
Respectfully,
Derek Folley
caprice mccoy
March 28, 2006
martin c. mccoy
Tisha Belme
March 28, 2006
My mother worked for Judge Gounaris for many many years. He was always friendly, joked often, was interested in my life and volunteered to be a reference for me on several occasions. Most importantly, he presided over my marriage in 1999. Certainly, he will hold a place in our hearts forever. Our prayers our with his family and friends.
John Heinrich
March 28, 2006
My condolences to the Gounaris Family. It was my pleasure to work as an appraiser in Probate Court for Judge Gounaris. I knew his brother Dino and also Alex, these three brothers were always very close. Judge Gounaris was known as a fine judge and an even better human being. He will be missed by all of us.
Joel Zeugner
March 28, 2006
My condolences to the Gounaris Family. Where I only met Judge Gounaris once, and did not know him personally, his reputation proceeded him. He was always known as a fine judge and an even better human being. He will be missed by all of us in the field of law.
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