Valos, John Thomas
John Thomas Valos was born on September 5, 1919, in East Bakersfield to one of the first Greek immigrant families to reside in Bakersfield. He was one of seven children born to Tom Valos, from Messenia Greece and Irene Caotusses , from Leos Greece. He was educated at Lincoln School and graduated from Bakersfield High School. While in high school he played football and has a place of honor on the wall of Luigi's Restaurant. As one of the first draftee's from Kern County, prior to WWII, he served in the United States Army. One of his more enjoyable duties as Corporal was being a chauffeur to the General's wife. While stationed in San Francisco the Genis family opened their home to many of the Greek boys who were stationed at Fort Mason. After several home cooked Greek meals, John met Becky Genis, who became the love of his life, and his wife for sixty-five years. After the war he and Becky returned home to Bakersfield to his family and the Greek Orthodox community where he had many close ties. For a man who never learned to cook, it is interesting that he would spend his career in the food business. Valos Bros Poultry became an icon to the point where he and his brother Nick Valos were affectionately known locally as Bakersfield's favorite "Chicken Pluckers." Their business expanded from Potomac Street to Union Avenue where they began supplying food service items to local school districts cafeterias and restaurants. During this course of time John, Nick along with George Valos opened up a restaurant and bar known as the Valos Chicken House (the best crispy fried chicken and biscuits in town). Additionally, John was very instrumental in serving the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He spent most of his time in the kitchen with the "cooking crew" and transporting chickens from the ovens of the Pyrenees Bakery to the Greek Hall for the numerous weddings, baptisms, funerals, Greek Dinner dances and annual Greek Food Festivals. John and "the Crew" were always seen with their special condiments: olive oil, lemons, oregano, and a bottle of booze. From the ice maker in the Greek Hall to the pews in the church and all repairs in-between, John was always there to fix anything and everything that needed to be repaired. A " Valos Job" always worked regardless if it met code standards. John was also a member of the East Bakersfield Exchange Club, East Bakersfield Progressive Club, Elks, and Order of the Ahepa. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Pearl Balasis, Fersina Bisbis, Katherine Chicklenis, and Hazel Pierucci and his brother, Geroge Valos. He is survived by his wife, Becky Valos; his daughters, Irene Valos and her husband, John Wilson, Joanne Laird and her husband, Larry; grandchildren, Dr. Peter Plessas, Paula Hall and husband, Bryan Hall, Krista Barber; great-grandchildren, Eavyania and Demetria Hall; brother, Nick Valos and wife, Mary; brothers-in law and wives, George Genis, Steve and Priscilla Genis, Fred and Marilyn Genis, and Perry Genis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Dr. Nicholas Valos, Thomas Valos, George Valos, Phillip Valos, Tom Felactu, and Tom Drulias. Honorary Pallbearers include Harry Chicklenis, Gus Balasis, Frank Pierucci, Steve Pappas, Gerry Collis, George Daoutis, Lance Rodgers, Richard Lemucchi, Judge John Jelletich, and Milo Brooks. The family would like to thank Dr. Anthony Valdez, Dr. Tu, Dr. Rajeev Manu and the staff at CBCC and Memorial Hospital. The family would also like to extend their love and appreciation to the special nursing staff on the third floor at Memorial Hospital who cared for John like "family" and to his nephew Harry Chicklenis ("Chick") for his devotion to Uncle John. John Valos will always be remembered for his red socks which were worn with everything, Dewar's Rocky-road candy, and his ability to "work the room" with his charismatic joy and love for people. John's life will be celebrated on Monday, January 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Ave., officiated by Father Joseph Chaffee. Burial services will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Trisagiron Services will be held Sunday, January 25, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at St. George Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. George Orthodox Church. John Valos will be deeply missed by family and friends and by those who have yet to have met him. John Thomas Valos 1919 - 2009 Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors
Published in the Bakersfield Californian from 1/24/2009 - 1/25/2009
John Thomas Valos was born on September 5, 1919, in East Bakersfield to one of the first Greek immigrant families to reside in Bakersfield. He was one of seven children born to Tom Valos, from Messenia Greece and Irene Caotusses , from Leos Greece. He was educated at Lincoln School and graduated from Bakersfield High School. While in high school he played football and has a place of honor on the wall of Luigi's Restaurant. As one of the first draftee's from Kern County, prior to WWII, he served in the United States Army. One of his more enjoyable duties as Corporal was being a chauffeur to the General's wife. While stationed in San Francisco the Genis family opened their home to many of the Greek boys who were stationed at Fort Mason. After several home cooked Greek meals, John met Becky Genis, who became the love of his life, and his wife for sixty-five years. After the war he and Becky returned home to Bakersfield to his family and the Greek Orthodox community where he had many close ties. For a man who never learned to cook, it is interesting that he would spend his career in the food business. Valos Bros Poultry became an icon to the point where he and his brother Nick Valos were affectionately known locally as Bakersfield's favorite "Chicken Pluckers." Their business expanded from Potomac Street to Union Avenue where they began supplying food service items to local school districts cafeterias and restaurants. During this course of time John, Nick along with George Valos opened up a restaurant and bar known as the Valos Chicken House (the best crispy fried chicken and biscuits in town). Additionally, John was very instrumental in serving the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He spent most of his time in the kitchen with the "cooking crew" and transporting chickens from the ovens of the Pyrenees Bakery to the Greek Hall for the numerous weddings, baptisms, funerals, Greek Dinner dances and annual Greek Food Festivals. John and "the Crew" were always seen with their special condiments: olive oil, lemons, oregano, and a bottle of booze. From the ice maker in the Greek Hall to the pews in the church and all repairs in-between, John was always there to fix anything and everything that needed to be repaired. A " Valos Job" always worked regardless if it met code standards. John was also a member of the East Bakersfield Exchange Club, East Bakersfield Progressive Club, Elks, and Order of the Ahepa. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Pearl Balasis, Fersina Bisbis, Katherine Chicklenis, and Hazel Pierucci and his brother, Geroge Valos. He is survived by his wife, Becky Valos; his daughters, Irene Valos and her husband, John Wilson, Joanne Laird and her husband, Larry; grandchildren, Dr. Peter Plessas, Paula Hall and husband, Bryan Hall, Krista Barber; great-grandchildren, Eavyania and Demetria Hall; brother, Nick Valos and wife, Mary; brothers-in law and wives, George Genis, Steve and Priscilla Genis, Fred and Marilyn Genis, and Perry Genis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Dr. Nicholas Valos, Thomas Valos, George Valos, Phillip Valos, Tom Felactu, and Tom Drulias. Honorary Pallbearers include Harry Chicklenis, Gus Balasis, Frank Pierucci, Steve Pappas, Gerry Collis, George Daoutis, Lance Rodgers, Richard Lemucchi, Judge John Jelletich, and Milo Brooks. The family would like to thank Dr. Anthony Valdez, Dr. Tu, Dr. Rajeev Manu and the staff at CBCC and Memorial Hospital. The family would also like to extend their love and appreciation to the special nursing staff on the third floor at Memorial Hospital who cared for John like "family" and to his nephew Harry Chicklenis ("Chick") for his devotion to Uncle John. John Valos will always be remembered for his red socks which were worn with everything, Dewar's Rocky-road candy, and his ability to "work the room" with his charismatic joy and love for people. John's life will be celebrated on Monday, January 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Ave., officiated by Father Joseph Chaffee. Burial services will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Trisagiron Services will be held Sunday, January 25, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at St. George Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. George Orthodox Church. John Valos will be deeply missed by family and friends and by those who have yet to have met him. John Thomas Valos 1919 - 2009 Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors
Published in the Bakersfield Californian from 1/24/2009 - 1/25/2009
Valos, John Thomas
John Thomas Valos was born on September 5, 1919, in East Bakersfield to one of the first Greek immigrant families to reside in Bakersfield. He was one of seven children born to Tom Valos, from Messenia Greece and Irene Caotusses , from Leos Greece. He was educated at Lincoln School and graduated from Bakersfield High School. While in high school he played football and has a place of honor on the wall of Luigi's Restaurant. As one of the first draftee's from Kern County, prior to WWII, he served in the United States Army. One of his more enjoyable duties as Corporal was being a chauffeur to the General's wife. While stationed in San Francisco the Genis family opened their home to many of the Greek boys who were stationed at Fort Mason. After several home cooked Greek meals, John met Becky Genis, who became the love of his life, and his wife for sixty-five years. After the war he and Becky returned home to Bakersfield to his family and the Greek Orthodox community where he had many close ties. For a man who never learned to cook, it is interesting that he would spend his career in the food business. Valos Bros Poultry became an icon to the point where he and his brother Nick Valos were affectionately known locally as Bakersfield's favorite "Chicken Pluckers." Their business expanded from Potomac Street to Union Avenue where they began supplying food service items to local school districts cafeterias and restaurants. During this course of time John, Nick along with George Valos opened up a restaurant and bar known as the Valos Chicken House (the best crispy fried chicken and biscuits in town). Additionally, John was very instrumental in serving the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He spent most of his time in the kitchen with the "cooking crew" and transporting chickens from the ovens of the Pyrenees Bakery to the Greek Hall for the numerous weddings, baptisms, funerals, Greek Dinner dances and annual Greek Food Festivals. John and "the Crew" were always seen with their special condiments: olive oil, lemons, oregano, and a bottle of booze. From the ice maker in the Greek Hall to the pews in the church and all repairs in-between, John was always there to fix anything and everything that needed to be repaired. A " Valos Job" always worked regardless if it met code standards. John was also a member of the East Bakersfield Exchange Club, East Bakersfield Progressive Club, Elks, and Order of the Ahepa. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Pearl Balasis, Fersina Bisbis, Katherine Chicklenis, and Hazel Pierucci and his brother, Geroge Valos. He is survived by his wife, Becky Valos; his daughters, Irene Valos and her husband, John Wilson, Joanne Laird and her husband, Larry; grandchildren, Dr. Peter Plessas, Paula Hall and husband, Bryan Hall, Krista Barber; great-grandchildren, Eavyania and Demetria Hall; brother, Nick Valos and wife, Mary; brothers-in law and wives, George Genis, Steve and Priscilla Genis, Fred and Marilyn Genis, and Perry Genis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Dr. Nicholas Valos, Thomas Valos, George Valos, Phillip Valos, Tom Felactu, and Tom Drulias. Honorary Pallbearers include Harry Chicklenis, Gus Balasis, Frank Pierucci, Steve Pappas, Gerry Collis, George Daoutis, Lance Rodgers, Richard Lemucchi, Judge John Jelletich, and Milo Brooks. The family would like to thank Dr. Anthony Valdez, Dr. Tu, Dr. Rajeev Manu and the staff at CBCC and Memorial Hospital. The family would also like to extend their love and appreciation to the special nursing staff on the third floor at Memorial Hospital who cared for John like "family" and to his nephew Harry Chicklenis ("Chick") for his devotion to Uncle John. John Valos will always be remembered for his red socks which were worn with everything, Dewar's Rocky-road candy, and his ability to "work the room" with his charismatic joy and love for people. John's life will be celebrated on Monday, January 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Ave., officiated by Father Joseph Chaffee. Burial services will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Trisagiron Services will be held Sunday, January 25, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at St. George Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. George Orthodox Church. John Valos will be deeply missed by family and friends and by those who have yet to have met him. John Thomas Valos 1919 - 2009 Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors
Published in the Bakersfield Californian from 1/24/2009 - 1/25/2009
John Thomas Valos was born on September 5, 1919, in East Bakersfield to one of the first Greek immigrant families to reside in Bakersfield. He was one of seven children born to Tom Valos, from Messenia Greece and Irene Caotusses , from Leos Greece. He was educated at Lincoln School and graduated from Bakersfield High School. While in high school he played football and has a place of honor on the wall of Luigi's Restaurant. As one of the first draftee's from Kern County, prior to WWII, he served in the United States Army. One of his more enjoyable duties as Corporal was being a chauffeur to the General's wife. While stationed in San Francisco the Genis family opened their home to many of the Greek boys who were stationed at Fort Mason. After several home cooked Greek meals, John met Becky Genis, who became the love of his life, and his wife for sixty-five years. After the war he and Becky returned home to Bakersfield to his family and the Greek Orthodox community where he had many close ties. For a man who never learned to cook, it is interesting that he would spend his career in the food business. Valos Bros Poultry became an icon to the point where he and his brother Nick Valos were affectionately known locally as Bakersfield's favorite "Chicken Pluckers." Their business expanded from Potomac Street to Union Avenue where they began supplying food service items to local school districts cafeterias and restaurants. During this course of time John, Nick along with George Valos opened up a restaurant and bar known as the Valos Chicken House (the best crispy fried chicken and biscuits in town). Additionally, John was very instrumental in serving the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He spent most of his time in the kitchen with the "cooking crew" and transporting chickens from the ovens of the Pyrenees Bakery to the Greek Hall for the numerous weddings, baptisms, funerals, Greek Dinner dances and annual Greek Food Festivals. John and "the Crew" were always seen with their special condiments: olive oil, lemons, oregano, and a bottle of booze. From the ice maker in the Greek Hall to the pews in the church and all repairs in-between, John was always there to fix anything and everything that needed to be repaired. A " Valos Job" always worked regardless if it met code standards. John was also a member of the East Bakersfield Exchange Club, East Bakersfield Progressive Club, Elks, and Order of the Ahepa. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Pearl Balasis, Fersina Bisbis, Katherine Chicklenis, and Hazel Pierucci and his brother, Geroge Valos. He is survived by his wife, Becky Valos; his daughters, Irene Valos and her husband, John Wilson, Joanne Laird and her husband, Larry; grandchildren, Dr. Peter Plessas, Paula Hall and husband, Bryan Hall, Krista Barber; great-grandchildren, Eavyania and Demetria Hall; brother, Nick Valos and wife, Mary; brothers-in law and wives, George Genis, Steve and Priscilla Genis, Fred and Marilyn Genis, and Perry Genis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Dr. Nicholas Valos, Thomas Valos, George Valos, Phillip Valos, Tom Felactu, and Tom Drulias. Honorary Pallbearers include Harry Chicklenis, Gus Balasis, Frank Pierucci, Steve Pappas, Gerry Collis, George Daoutis, Lance Rodgers, Richard Lemucchi, Judge John Jelletich, and Milo Brooks. The family would like to thank Dr. Anthony Valdez, Dr. Tu, Dr. Rajeev Manu and the staff at CBCC and Memorial Hospital. The family would also like to extend their love and appreciation to the special nursing staff on the third floor at Memorial Hospital who cared for John like "family" and to his nephew Harry Chicklenis ("Chick") for his devotion to Uncle John. John Valos will always be remembered for his red socks which were worn with everything, Dewar's Rocky-road candy, and his ability to "work the room" with his charismatic joy and love for people. John's life will be celebrated on Monday, January 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Ave., officiated by Father Joseph Chaffee. Burial services will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Trisagiron Services will be held Sunday, January 25, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at St. George Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. George Orthodox Church. John Valos will be deeply missed by family and friends and by those who have yet to have met him. John Thomas Valos 1919 - 2009 Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors
Published in the Bakersfield Californian from 1/24/2009 - 1/25/2009
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