George A. Boukidis was born in Evanston, Illinois, into a large, dynamic, and accomplished family of 10 children. His parents Tom and Eleni Boukidis hailed from the village of Karyes (Arahova), Greece.  While George was a young child, his mother took several of the younger children, including George, back to Karyes for approximately seven years to absorb the culture and education only village life could instill. Upon returning to Evanston to join his other family members, George grew up to become a great American patriot by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force during the war years.

George served proudly in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II from 1942 to 1945. During his tour of service, he participated in the European/African/Middle East Campaign, the Atlantic/Pacific Campaign, and the American Campaign. In the latter part of his tour, he achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant in the Eastern Air Command in the China/Burma/India Theatre. He also logged many hours as a Reconnaissance Pilot in the intelligence area. He was awarded the Bronze Star and functioned as an extra Liaison Pilot, also earning a good conduct medal and a foreign service medal. He was a lifetime member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, as well as a past member of AHEPA.

Upon his return from service, George settled in Tucson, Arizona. There, he attended the University of Arizona and opened two restaurants with other family members. It was in Tucson where he met the love of his life, Demetra (Jan) Chilikas, who also had relocated to Tucson with her family from Winnetka, Illinois. George and Jan married in 1949 in what was the first Greek Orthodox ceremony ever to be held in Tucson. George helped establish the Greek community there by finding the first church property and securing the financing. While in Tucson, George and Jan had two sons, James and Bill, in 1951 and 1952, respectively.

In 1955, George and Jan heard the call of the beautiful California weather and of other family members, to move west. They first settled in Burbank, California, and later in Glendale, California, where their daughter Trisha was born in 1959.

George worked in sales and later in the transportation industry. He had many entrepreneurial opportunities and was always striving for success in order to provide for his family. His final employed position was as Vice President of Sales for the Los Angeles office of Arrow Liftschultz, where George and Jan had the opportunity to travel to various locations throughout the U.S. until George finally retired.

George always stressed the importance of being a good citizen and emphasized this to his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He lived by the virtues of truth and justice, often regaling stories of his own father Tom Boukidis' goodness to less fortunate individuals during the depression, which made an indelible mark on George's own character. This was evidenced by George's innate honesty and fair dealing. He often attributed the origins of these tenets to ancient Greece and its poets and philosophers. He was intensely proud of his Greek heritage and his entire family.  He was also a proud citizen of this great country of the United States. George was a member of the "Greatest Generation," always putting the country before self, and he flew the flag proudly over his house daily. George was a unique character in every sense of the word and was renowned for his pontifications for which his grandchildren would hang on each and every word with smiles and laughter. His greatest pride and joy was his grandchildren, who adored him in return, and his wife, whom he always spoke lovingly of long after she had passed.

George is predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Jan, and by his son Bill. He is survived by his son James Boukidis and James' wife Cindi; by his daughter Trisha and her husband Christopher Kourafas; by his sister Anne Boukidis Michas of Palm Springs; by his grandchildren Alex and Jennifer Boukidis and Alexis, Adrianna, and Eleni Kourafas; and by many nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed.

Farewell Papou, you are with Yia Yia now.

Funeral service will be held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, California on Friday June 17, 2016 at 11:00am.

Remembrances may be sent to: Saint Sophia Camp, 1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006 - www.saintsophiacamp.org/shop/donate.php or to the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church Youth Fund, 2219 N. Orchard Street, Fresno, CA 93703.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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O bituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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