Nick George Valos 1922 - 2010 Nick George Valos, the last member of one of the original pioneer Greek families in Bakersfield has passed away. Nick was born on September 20, 1922 in East Bakersfield to one of the first Greek immigrant families to reside in Bakersfield. He was one of the seven children born to Tom Valos, from Messenia, Greece and Irene Caotusses, from Leos, Greece. He was educated at Lincoln School and graduated from East Bakersfield High School. He was one of the first draftees of Kern County and served in the United States Air Corp. While working for Fred Pinetta, delivering chickens, he met the love of his life, Mary Karastathis from Fresno, who became his wife of sixty-four years. During his business career, he and his brother, John, started Valos Brothers Poultry. The "shop" became an icon to the point where he and his brother John Valos were affectionately known as Bakersfield's favorite "Chicken Pluckers." Their business expanded from Potomac Street to Union Avenue where they began supplying food service items to local schools, cafeterias and restaurants. During this course of time Nick along with his brothers John and George opened up a restaurant and bar known as Valos Chicken House (the best crispy fried chicken and biscuits in town). Additionally, Nick 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. Nick and "the Crew" were always seen with their special condiments: olive oil, lemons, oregano, and a bottle of booze. From the icemaker in the Green Hall to the pews in the church and all repairs in-between, Nick was always there to fix anything and everything that needed to be repaired. A "Valos Job" always worked regardless if it met code standards. Nick was also a member and served as president of the East Bakersfield Exchange Club and East Bakersfield Progressive Club. He also belonged to the Elks, American Legion, and Order of the Ahepa. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Pearl Balasis, Fersina Bisbis, Katherine Chicklenis, Hazel Pierucci; brothers, George and John Valos. He is survived by his wife, Mary Valos; his son, Dr. Nick Valos and wife Pamela Valos; grandchildren, Nicholas, Kehaulani, Philip, and Victoria Valos; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Thomas Valos, Philip Valos, Nicholas Valos, Tommy Felactu, Tom Drulias, and Greg "Hippo" Hanson. Honorary Pallbearers include Jim Vlamis, Mike Huston, Richard Lemucchi, Dr. Peter Plessas, Greg Pierucci, George Valos, Harry Chicklenis, Tom Savage, Don Galey, Jerry Reynolds, and Frank Pierucci. The family would like to thank Dr. William Baker and Molly Waite, PAC-C. The family would also like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Mercy Southwest Hospital, Calloway Gardens, Hoffmann Hospice, and a very caring nephew, Harry Chicklenis, who was always with his uncle during the good times and also in his time of need. Nick's life will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 4, 11:00 a.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Ave., officiated by Father Joseph Chaffee. Burial services will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Trisagion Services will be held Friday, Dec. 3, 7:00 p.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Orthodox Church (Nick G. Valos Memorial Fund) or Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County, 5500 Olive Dr., 393-8871. Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara www.bakersfield.com/obits
Published in Bakersfield Californian from December 3 to December 4, 2010