Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
FUNERAL HOME
Kevork Balian Obituary
Macon, GA- Kevork Misak George Balian passed away on Tuesday, November 5th. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 12 noon at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 565 Wimbish Road, Macon with Reverend Chip Grantham officiating. Burial is private.
Mr. Balian began his study of art at a French and American school in Aleppo, Syria where his lifelong dream of being an artist was born. A dream that would inspire an 18-year-old Kevork Balian to board an ocean liner headed to America. Armed with only what he could fit in a small suitcase, 250 dollars in his pocket and a watch his family pitched in together to buy him, he began not only a long journey across the Atlanta Ocean to a foreign land but a larger grand journey that would span his entire life. A life filled with adventure, successes and accomplishments many of us could only marvel at, read about in an elegant novel or sit down with a box of hot popcorn and watch on the silver screen.
His life in America started as a student of Architecture, working to pay for school and getting to and from classes on his famous "one pedal" bicycle. He left Auburn University with a degree in Architecture, a beautiful young bride and the biggest passion for football south of the Mason Dixon line. He took great pride in seeing two Auburn University National Championships and four undefeated seasons.
An award-winning Architect and Master Artist, Kevork Balian's work adorns the streets of cities like Macon, Atlanta, St. Louis and Manhattan and range from graceful residential designs, elementary schools to New York sky scrapers and the Abuja National Mosque in Africa.
Mr. Balian was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Macon and a member of the American Institute of Architects.
He is survived by his wife, Terri Balian; children, Robert (Kah-Lee Wong) Balian; Meg (Jack Leverette) Balian and Perry Balian; grandchildren, Sara Balian, Kate Balian, Piper Balian and George Balian-Leverette; sister, Nvart Balian Kavlakian and office manager, Barbara Godwin.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow's Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kevork Balian
Sponsored by His loving children and grandchildren.
Sandy Barrow
November 2, 2023
We have sweet memories of living next door many, many years ago. Meg, you and our son, John, played together. Where do you live now? We live in the mountains of NC. Your dad was a kind and brilliant man. It was our pleasure to know him. Sandy Barrow
Julia Bunting
September 8, 2016
George, as we knew him was a dear young man. He attended Auburn First Baptist Church with my cousin, Mack and I. They were in the same fraternity. I'm sorry to hear he is gone. My deepest sympathy for his family and friends.
March 30, 2016
December 16, 2015
Pop,
Sara is over in China right now. I know you wouldn't have believed that I would let her go but she's there dancing with her dance company. I'm sure you are watching over her and laughing at me turning in my sleep. I've got your old Sony TV on my desk on top of your hutch and your paintings hanging on the wall. I know you so well that I still hear you laughing and telling me jokes all the time. So many people tell me how much they miss you but I feel your presence all the time. Kind of how you know what somebody is going to say before they say it. Looking forward to giving you a hug when I see you again. I was so favored by God to have spent so much time with you. You taught me so much, mostly about how to cherish life and the people around us.
Saw an amazing piece on John Rockefeller the other day, made me think about you. Saw a video of the drunk guy dancing, made me think about you. Cam Newton is having an MVP year, made me think about you. Watching a couple of Rocky videos while working out, really made me think about you. Watching the girls eat hummus and onions, made me think about you.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories!
Bob
m b
November 11, 2015
Happy Birthday Papa!!! Thinking of you always... But especially today. Xxoo
Steven Puri
August 1, 2015
I am happy that I got to meet you, and overjoyed that you left behind children that make the world a better place each day. A place filled with love and acceptance and kindness and humor. You must be smiling.
Catherine Admay
August 1, 2015
Dear Meg,
I was so very sorry to get this news. I wanted to come to this guest book and sign it because I think the world of your Dad for what I know about him through you. Your Dad lives on in you--in what you think matters; in how you go about living your life and contributing to your many worlds (professional, community, friendship); in the way you raise George, and how you go about knitting together the family for which he was the Pater Familias. Perhaps it will help to imagine your Dad watching on and enjoying (most of?) what you get up to because of the difference he has made to and in you. The love you have for your Dad has helped make you the wonderful loving person you are.
In my place of worst grief and shattering, the thing that finally got traction in my wild desolation was this idea from Henry David Thoreau: The only remedy for love is to love more. Totally ok by me that I came across it as a fridge magnet. If it appeals to you, I'll send you the same one.
Your friend,
Catherine Admay (formerly Cathy Adcock)
Durham, NC
Begga
February 26, 2015
I love you pop. kezee shad gu serem. I miss you.
October 20, 2014
Remembering our friendship in Memphis, Tennessee. My condolences.
Teresa Brundage
Peabody, MA
Betty Siegel
May 16, 2014
Dear Meg,
His life and his work can best be summed up in the words of the poet - "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." He will be sorely missed but lovingly remembered.
May 15, 2014
Dear Bob, Meg, and Perry,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. George was a dear friend and we miss him sorely. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Katherine & David Kalish
Larry Pope
March 21, 2014
In the early years of our careers, George, Sammy Thompson, and I shared many lunches filled with laughs as well as much shared information as to our Architectural growing pains. We gave him help with "southern" english terminology which I am now sure was of NO help. I will always remember George as a friend and colleague.
David Richardson
March 20, 2014
George was a respected and admired colleague. He will certainly be missed.
February 1, 2014
Hello Meg,
I write to you because you were a friend of our son, John. How well we remember you! You were a wonderful playmate for John. I have written before to say how sad we were to learn of George's death. We have only happy memories of him. Meg, please write and give me your e-mail address. I would love to correspond with you. Most sincerely, Sandy Barrow (John's mother)
Aaron Butler
January 31, 2014
I worked for George for 5 years and learned a lot from him. He was a true professional and dedicated worker... He will be missed. RIP George.
Johnathan Stroud
January 22, 2014
My dear friend Mr. George....
When I transferred to the Kroger
Supermarket here in Macon from Atlanta, I waited on him in the Deli. He noticed that I was new and introduced himself to me. He was a breath of fresh air. We talked about many things in life especially my love for Real Estate and his love for his profession as an Architect. I realized I hadn't seen him in a while so I searched for the business card he gave me some time ago and Googled his name ... I'm sad but honored to have had the chance to know this beautiful spirit. Many blessings to you all.....
Randy Gardner
December 10, 2013
What a special person, so kind and caring. Sending love and sympathy to the whole Balian family.
Randy and Jay
Kevin
November 27, 2013
23 years ago, George and I planted a squat little tree in a dark, dry, barren patch just off the railroad tracks near his home. To be honest, I had little hope for the puny thing, lost among the dryness and the invading brush. But, as with everything with George, I was happy to be there to do it--it was fun, it was funny, it was another adventure with George, always interesting, always unexpected. George's last report was that the tree had risen to more than 30 feet tall, and it was still growing. While I'm deeply saddened that he is gone, I know that George's influence still lives on in all of us. With his generosity, his adventurous spirit, his humor, his creativity, his work ethic, his openness to all new ideas and new people and new things, and his consistent desire to welcome each new day with anticipation and optimism, George left all of us with an ideal and an example of how best to approach each new sunrise. My thoughts are with Perry, Bob, and Meg during this difficult time.
Nony Mbaezue
November 13, 2013
Dear Bob, Meg, Perry and the Balian Family,
No gain saying I share your loss; you know that I do. What you probably do not know is why your father's picture sits in my office and has for many years in a place of high honor. It is because Mr. Kevork ‘George' Balian was more than a business partner. He ranks right up there with my own father, whose picture also sits in my office. It's difficult to speak of him in past tense, but I'll try.
George always placed a high value on people...everyone he met, especially his family and friends, and most of all he never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He valued family over financial wealth as was evident in his dealings with his distant relatives overseas and with his unwavering effort to meet their needs whenever they called. It was the same with friends and acquaintances that needed help with Immigration; he never wavered. He was a gentleman.
George was the best architect I ever met, and I have worked with many. He was a talented architect and a visionary painter and had a way of capturing others' vision and bringing them to reality. He lived a life that was fairly care free, yet it had a seriousness and commitment that saw him accomplishing what God sent him to planet earth for. In the words of William Shakespeare,
“…His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, “This was a man.”
Good bye to George, and to his children, grandchildren and family I say please keep faith. Your ‘Pop' was a believer all through his days, and he rests in the Lord now. You were blessed to have had him. He loved you and would want you all to be okay.
Remain blessed,
Nony Mbaezue
Atlanta, GA
Steve Skalko
November 12, 2013
My condolences to the Balian family on the passing of George. All the years I knew him he epitomized what a true gentleman is in how he talked and treated other people. I thoroughly enjoyed all my encounters with him personally and professionally. He will be missed.
Steven Puri
November 10, 2013
Dear Meg & Perry and Balian family that I have not met yet,
I am so sorry for your loss and you are all in my thoughts.
with love,
- Steven
Dr Nick Mbaezue
November 9, 2013
Who will tell the teeming population of Abuja Nigeria residents that the designer of their most outstanding architectural piece-the Abuja mosque is gone. George has only passed. His works lives on the world's highstreets. Therefore he lives on. My condolences to the Balians and Aim Partners Plc.
Charles Brittain
November 9, 2013
George was one of the most talented individuals I have ever known. And he was a gentleman's gentleman. I have always admired people like George that came to this country to follow their dreams. Although I saw little of him in recent years, I considered him to be a true friend. Rest in peace, George.
My condolences and sincere sympathy go out to his family.
Charles Brittain
AIA Emeritus
Jim Waite
November 9, 2013
Mr. Balian was a wonderful and kind man.I will always remember him fondly from my days at Tattnall Square Academy. Bob and Meg, I am sorry for your loss.
November 9, 2013
We were neighbors in the early 60s in Woodland Hills in Macon. A dear man, a wonderful family. Please accept our sincere condolences. Sandy and John Barrow
Val Ikeonu
November 9, 2013
George was an accomplished professional and gentleman. Met him through Nony his partner when he visited Nigeria. May God grant him peace, comfort and console his family as well as all that mourn his passing on. Va Ikeonu and family
Richard Iheme Princewill
November 8, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ed and Marcia Powers
November 8, 2013
You are in our thoughts and prayers. George was a real gentleman. So sorry for your loss.
Rick Perdue
November 8, 2013
We love you Pop. You were a wonderful man. Rest in Peace. The Perdue Family
Cathy Hayden
November 8, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Diana Wheeler
November 8, 2013
Growing up in Macon I was able to get to know 'Mr Balian' (as we high-school friends of Meg called him). I enjoyed hanging out in his home or Macon office with the other kids. I will remember him fondly - not only as the architect who designed our church chapel at Northminster Presbyterian, but as a truly kind and thoughtful man.
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
Make a Donation
in Kevork Balian's name
Memorial Events
for Kevork Balian
How to support Kevork's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Kevork Balian's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
