Rev. George A. Kostas

It has pleased Almighty God, in His wise providence to summon from the earthly existence to Himself the soul of His faithful servant the Rev. George A. Kostas. George departed his earthly existence on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at the Dignity Hospice House at Chapmanville. By the grace of God, he attained the age of 88 years. Born February 1, 1930 in Dorothy, WV. He was one of four children born to Agapios and Irene Emanuel Kostas. He was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church as an infant and in 1956 was received in the Episcopal Church and has remained a faithful and devoted Holy Trinity Episcopal Church member. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and brother-in-law, Anastasia and Nick Halkias, nephew, Dr. Emanuel Halkias, niece, Irene Kossos, sister-in-law, Hellen Savas Kostas, brother, Dr. Emanuel Kostas, brother, James Kostas, brother-in-law, Samuel Savas, sister-in-law, Phyllis Savas, nephew, Nicholas Elliot Savas, and niece, Lois Nicholas. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Savas Kostas, his double niece, Karen (Michael) Dolin, great-nieces, Penelope Nicole Dolin, Elizabeth Dolin (Stephen) Klein, nephew, Chris Kossos, great-nephew, John (Vicki) Kossos, great-great-nephews, Christopher James and Nicholas George Kossos, niece, Maria Gardinia, great-nephew, James Francis Gardinia, niece, Demetria (Jim) Heatwole, great-niece, Nikita Heatwole, his god-brother, Col. Nicholas (Linda) Nicholas, niece, Valerie Savas, and great-niece, Scarlet Bohannon. He will be deeply missed by family and friends and those he leaves behind to cherish his memory, especially the faith family of his beloved congregations of Holy Trinity and St Paul’s, whom George knew and loved as one faith family. George knew and loved each member, and he was uplifted by their affection, support and prayers. He also enjoyed a special relationship with his brother in Christ, Father Nick England. Fr. Nick and Fr. George were truly blessed in their shared ministry. George will also be deeply missed by his beloved Aracoma Drug family, especially his devoted secretary of over 50 years Peggy Adkins. The Aracoma Drug family of employees enjoyed a special relationship with one another and with George whom they regard not as a boss, but as a loving and caring friend. Many of the employees have never held another position, and some have been with Aracoma over 40 years. During his illness George was blessed by love and caring of his devoted life mate, Elizabeth, and god-nephew, Kevin Marcum. At both churches George was blessed with a support system that was unequaled, especially with Rick Blankenship, Dennis Trader, Jeremy and Joyce Bannister. George was also blessed by the excellent care of caregiver, Juanita Noel, and the entire staff of Dignity Hospice, Chapmanville, WV for their compassionate, attentive, and immediate response and professional care. George was born February 1, 1930 at Dorothy, WV and graduated from Clear Fork High, Colcord, WV. He graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD with a B.S. in Pharmacy, in June 1952, and a residency in Hospital Pharmacy at Johns Hopkins, also in Baltimore. He served in the U.S. Army, February 16, 1953 – February 18, 1955 as a pharmacist at Madigan Army Hospital, Tacoma, WA. George Began his retail career in pharmacy at Cohen Drug Company as pharmacist and manager at Man, WV. In June 1950, George’s brother, Emanuel married Helen Savas, and George and Elizabeth Savas began seeing one another. George and Elizabeth were married on May 13, 1956 at Holy Trinity Church in Logan by the Rev. O Ferrell Thompson. They purchased Aracoma Drug Company, March 15, 1961 with R.G. Norman and they operated the Logan store until May 1994. On September 15, 1975 they opened Aracoma Drug of Chapmanville in partnership with Walter Vance, the first drug store in the Chapmanville Area. George was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, and served the church in various positions, including, Senior Warden, Trustee, and Licensed Lay Leader. He completed his Seminary Program, and became a candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of West Virginia, March 29, 1999. George was Ordained June 8, 2002 as a Priest in the Diocese of West Virginia, by his beloved Bishop, the Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer and has been honored to serve as Priest of Holy Trinity, and associate Priest of St. Paul’s since that time. He was a Founding Director of American National Bank, Director of Matewan National Bank, and Board of Advisors BB&T. He has served as a Director and past President of Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Logan Rotary Club, Logan County Charitable and Educational Foundation, Advisory Board Salvation Army, Firemen’s Civil Service Commission, and a member of American and WV Pharmacy Association’s. In September 1988 he received the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. He served as Director and President of Southern West Virginia Community College Foundation, where he, under the financial expertise of the Vice President Mr. Eddie Canterbury, helped the foundation meet the goal of Pres. Tomblin’s 20/20 Vision. He was a member and Chair (2001-2003), Board of Governor’s Southern WV Community & Technical College. Advisory Committee Member, Division of Allied Health Pharmacy Technology. Director, Logan County Charitable and Educational Trust. Member and Treasurer, Logan Ministerial Association. George’s favorite recreational sport was skiing. George and Elizabeth Kostas formed an association with Southern WV Community & Technical College very early in the formative years of the College. They were involved in providing a private family gift for the Savas-Kostas Performing Arts Center, and have been actively and continually financially supporting the foundation, and are currently also additionally providing perpetual funding for the Savas-Kostas outstanding Faculty and Staff awards. The family has requested no floral tributes. Anyone wishing to honor the memory of Rev. Kostas may make a donation in his memory to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 604 Stratton St. Logan, WV 25601 or to Southern WV Community & Technical College Foundation, Po Box 2020 Mt Gay, WV 25637 or to Dignity Hospice, Po Box 4304 Chapmanville, WV 25508. Services will be at 12 p.m. Saturday March 3, 2018 at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 604 Stratton Street Logan, WV with the Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer and Father Nick England officiating. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill. Pallbearers will be: David Sidney, George Evans, David McCormick, Kent Carter, Michael Winter, Michael Baker, and Delbert Queen. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church also on Saturday. Following the committal at Forest Lawn Cemetery, everyone is invited to join the family at the Logan County Country Club for a buffet dinner, where happy memories may be shared. Online condolences may be left at www.jamesfh.com Akers-James Funeral Home at Logan is in charge of the arrangements.

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