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BORN
1964
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
George Christos Obituary
George Christopher Christos peacefully transitioned one day before his 60th birthday on Monday, September 2, 2024. He was born on September 3, 1964, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Christopher G. Christos and Ruth H. Christos.
George was a prolific reader with a deep passion for poetry and drama, and he loved various genres of music including folk music, the blues and jazz. Attending performances and dramatic productions always filled his heart with joy. His love for the arts expanded into photography, which became another favorite pastime. To calm his spirit and clear his mind, he would often meditate as he found a connection with the Buddhist faith.
In addition to his love of the arts, George also had a love for the English language. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Winthrop University, then later obtained a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and a second master’s degree in Secondary Education from Xavier University.
George leveraged his knowledge to teach English around the United States and abroad – extending from North Carolina and South Carolina to Alaska to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the North Mariana Islands and Bangkok, Thailand. Throughout his travels, he served as an English literature teacher and taught English as a secondary language when outside of the country. He also held a position as the English Department Faculty Chair while in Taiwan. His last assignment as an educator was in Roanoke, VA. Amid his career, he paused from education and joined the United States Navy serving on the USS Constitution for two years prior to being honorably discharged.
George was preceded in death by his father, Christopher Christos.
He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Ruth Christos; sisters, Teresa (David) Corbett of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and Susan (Neal) McKenney of Hendersonville, NC; nephews, Holt Lantz, Mitchell McKenney, and Bryson McKenney; niece, Taylor (Ryan) Labrador; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Memories and Condolences
for George Christos
January 3, 2025
I’m kind of late but I wanted to say my condolences to Mr.Christos family and friends and he was a great teacher we had great conversations and debates and he will be missed I’m glad to say he was my teacher
Adriana Campos
September 19, 2024
At my short time sub teaching at Forest Park Academy in Roanoke VA, I had the pleasure to get to know George. He made me feel accepted and gave me a sense of belonging. He was always helpful and kind. Unfortunately, we didn’t keep in touch much, but I hold him dear to my heart.
To his family, I send my deepest condolences. May all of you find peace in the special moments lived.
Kim Stuart
September 17, 2024
It’s hard to capture the essence of George in just a few words—not only because he’s still such a part of our lives, but also because he was the true wordsmith. He is in the music we listen to, in well-worn leather satchels, during impromptu jamming sessions and definitely, inside quiet Buddhist temples that I love to visit.
As international teachers, we were lucky to meet George during our time in Taiwan, where we taught together for four years. Later, we all moved to Bangkok, Thailand, where we worked at different schools but remained close, spending time together as often as we could. George became part of our family—cranky as he was, he had a special place in our hearts (and at our dinner table most nights). Living internationally, you form bonds like no other, and George was an integral part of ours.
My kids absolutely adored George, and it’s no wonder—there was no one else quite like him. George was George. He never treated them like just kids; instead, he respected them as individuals. He was always unapologetically himself, with a knack for being candid and a memorable way of expressing himself after a tough day, which only made the kids love him more. It was like having an extra, slightly grumpier parent in the house.
One of my favorite memories is of a road trip we took along Taiwan’s east coast. There we were: my family of four, my 75-year-old mother Vera, and George. We spent hours playing dominoes and laughing about the ridiculousness of world politics—he never held back with his opinions. We celebrated Christmases and birthdays together too. He hated Christmas decorations, any decorations, so every year we would just decorate his door to annoy him. Kids thought it was hilarious.
I’ll never forget one Christmas when George bought my son Finn, who was about six at the time, an electric helicopter. Finn was thrilled but a little overwhelmed by how complicated it was to fly. Not one to be outdone, George had also treated himself to a bigger, fancier model. We all gathered to watch his demonstration near where we lived near Chengcing Lake, Finn looking up in awe as George took over the controls. He made a show of flying circles in the sky—until the helicopter started to wobble. In what felt like slow motion, it crashed into a nearby forest. We searched for hours, but it was gone, and George muttered something unrepeatable under his breath. It was such a George moment.
For over 7 years, George was also the reason I always had the latest hand-me-down technology: his old phone, his iPad—he was always upgrading. He was a creative musician too, and we loved to hear him jam with his guitar, which always traveled with him, and create new music. I’ll always appreciate that he was one of the few who shared my love for Tom Waits.
George had a way of facing life's absurdities with humor and a unique perspective. I’ll never forget the advice he gave us, as naive Australians when we were pretty nervous about visiting America for the first time. He stated, 'avoid eye contact and combat (especially political debates), duck and cover, and definitely don’t engage.' It was classic George—practical, witty, and always looking out for us.
Though we lost touch occasionally, especially when George took breaks from social media, reconnecting with him always felt effortless. I know his last years were challenging. Like George, I left expat life to return to Australia two years ago after years of living abroad, and I’ve struggled with the adjustment as well. I deeply missed having someone like George—someone to laugh with, lean on, and feel comfortable with. He was a rock, and our conversations over the past two years particularly, have meant the world to me.
His email, fittingly, was 'curiousgeorge'. George was a deep, philosophical thinker—wise in the way he lived, always seeking meaning and connection in the world around him. He faced life's challenges, including his battle with cancer, with a strength and determination that was uniquely his.When he was first diagnosed, he told me how grateful he was for the truly good friends who had shown him incredible support, and I’m so honored to have been one of them.
We send our deepest condolences to George's family and friends. Our family will always treasure the stories and the joy he brought into our lives—even if he never quite mastered flying helicopters. I like to think that in some other life, we’ll cross paths again—hopefully with George at the controls of something that stays in the air this time. Catch you round next time George xx
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Dianna Harmon-Lakes
September 17, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family.
Hamish Buddle
September 17, 2024
I have fond memories of George during the time we taught together in Taiwan. George arrived in Taiwan at the same time as Bex and I and we quickly connected over a love of music and a passion for education. George was a great philosopher and we shared many great jam sessions on the guitar, drums, ukulele and spoons. George began to take his music more seriously and he set up an amazing recording studio in his Kaohsiung apartment. Time would melt away as George would share the latest composition he was working on. Your words and music will always be in our hearts.
Hamish and Bex
Weekend with the Stuarts and our Taiwan family, Dulan, Taiwan, 2014
Kim Stuart
September 17, 2024
George behind the lens at the school sports carnival, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2012
Kim Stuart
September 17, 2024
George doing George during our first social gathering in Taiwan, 2011
Kim Stuart
September 17, 2024
Not impressed with busy trains in Taipei, during weekend adventure with the Stuarts and Kim's Mum, Vera, 2014
Kim Stuart
September 17, 2024
Kim Stuart
September 17, 2024
It’s hard to capture the essence of George in just a few words—not only because he’s still such a part of our lives, but also because he was the true wordsmith. He is in the music we listen to, in well-worn leather satchels, during impromptu jamming sessions and definitely, inside quiet Buddhist temples that I love to visit.
As international teachers from Australia, we were lucky to meet George during our time in Taiwan, where we taught together for four years. Later, we all moved to Bangkok, Thailand, where we worked at different schools but remained close, spending time together as often as we could. Living internationally, you form bonds like no other, and George became part of our family.
My kids absolutely adored George, and it’s no wonder—there was no one else quite like him. George was George. He never treated them like just kids; instead, he respected them as individuals. He was always unapologetically himself, with a knack for being candid and a memorable way of expressing himself after a tough day, which only made the kids love him more. It was like having an extra, slightly grumpier parent and mentor.
One of my favorite memories is of a road trip we took along Taiwan’s east coast. There we were: my family of four, my 75-year-old mother Vera, and George. We spent hours playing dominoes and laughing about the ridiculousness of world politics—he never held back with his opinions. We celebrated Christmases and birthdays together too. He hatedChristmas decorations, any decorations, so every year we would just decorate hisdoor to annoy him. Kids thought it was hilarious.I’ll never forget one Christmas when George bought my son Finn (who was about six at the time), an electric helicopter. Finn was thrilled but a little overwhelmed by how complicated it was to fly. Not one to be outdone, George had also treated himself to a bigger, fancier model. We all gathered to watch his demonstration near where we lived near Chengcing Lake, Finn looking up in awe as George took over the controls. He made a show of flying circles in the sky—until the helicopter started to wobble. In what felt like slow motion, it crashed into a nearby forest. We searched for hours, but it was gone, and George muttered something unrepeatable under his breath. It was such a George moment.
For over 7 years, George was also the reason I always had the latest hand-me-down technology: his old phone... his iPad—he was always upgrading. He was a creative musician too, and we loved to hear him jam with his guitar, which always traveled with him, and create new music. I’ll always appreciate that he was one of the few who shared my love for Tom Waits.
George had a way of facing life's absurdities with humor and a unique perspective. I’ll never forget the advice he gave us, as naive Australians when we were pretty nervous about visiting America for the first time. He stated, 'avoid eye contact and combat (especially political debates), duck and cover, and definitely don’t engage.' It was classic George—practical, witty, and always looking out for us.
Though we lost touch occasionally, especially when George took breaks from social media, reconnecting with him always felt effortless. I know his last years were challenging. Like George, I left expat life to return to Australia two years ago after years of living abroad, and I’ve struggled with the adjustment as well. I deeply missed having someone like George—someone to laugh with, lean on, and feel comfortable with. He was a rock, and our conversations over the past two years particularly, have meant the world to me.
His email, fittingly, was 'curiousgeorge'. George was a deep, philosophical thinker—wise in the way he lived, always seeking meaning and connection in the world around him. He faced life's challenges, including his battle with cancer, with a strength and determination that was uniquely his.
When George was first diagnosed, he told me how grateful he was for the truly good friends and family who had shown him incredible support, and I’m so honored to have been one of them. Our family will always treasure the stories and the joy he brought into our lives—even if he never quite mastered flying helicopters. We send our deepest condolences to George's family and friends. I like to think that in some other life, we’ll cross paths again—hopefully with George at the controls of something that stays in the air this time. Catch you round next time George. Heaps of love, Kim, Cal, Charlie and Finn xx
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