James John Peroulas

James John (Jim) Peroulas, age 94, of West Knoxville, born on October 1,1915 in Ditiki Fragista, Evrytania, Greece, the eldest child of John and Eleni Peroulas, followed by sister Metaxia and brother Frank, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at Parkwest Hospital. He was an active member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church where he was a member of the Parish Council several times and became Parish President in 1978. He was a long time Knoxville restaurateur having worked tirelessly at the Gold Sun Cafe eventually partnering with his brother Frank in 1970. They renamed the restaurant to Peroulas' Quality Foods in 1977 and ran it until they retired in 1995. Education was important to Jim, so after grammar school he attended high school in Karpenisi until his graduation in 1934. He was a very good student and was accepted to the Salonica School of Law in Thessaloniki, Greece. Two years into his studies, the Greek Army drafted Jim for mandatory military service in 1936. He was drafted as a Lieutenant, later becoming Captain, specializing in anti aircraft artillery until 1940. During this time some of Greece's neighboring countries were becoming restless. Italy and Albania were not getting along. At one point the Italian ambassador called Greek officials at 3 a.m. asking permission to enter Greece to invade neighboring Albania. Greece denies access and senses trouble to come. Italy ignores the denial and begins to enter Greece without permission. The Greek military was prepared. They fought back and the Italians were defeated. The triumph became a worldwide news event. The world was once again reminded of Greece's stamina, power, and tenacity. Because of Jim's leadership, dedication and command, General and Prime Minister John Metaxas respectfully decorates Jim with the War Cross for heroic duty. This is the equivalent to America's Purple Heart. From 1941 through 1945 Jim served as an Officer for the National Greek Resistance Forces. Jim lead the forces in the mountainous regions during Germany's occupation of Greece through 1944. Once again, the Greek government recognized Jim's leadership and presented him with the Metal of Honor for his participation. Throughout the years Jim always had time for the Evrytanian Association. It was at the 1968 Knoxville Convention that Jim was elected President. He was truly honored and worked vigorously at fundraising, growing the membership, attending quarterly board meetings in Charlotte, and also visiting other Association cities motivating them for the greater cause - to give back. He was the oldest living past President. After his tenure, he continued to attend annual conventions and meetings and served as an advisor during board meetings. He is very proud of the Association's accomplishments in Karpenisi including building the hospital and nursing home, providing educational materials and scholarships to needy students, and the college scholarship program for stateside students. Because of his love of the law, Jim studied hard and was accepted into the University of Tennessee's School of Law in Knoxville but had to drop out after one year because of the sudden death of his father-in-law. He loved the fact that he was given the opportunity to get a second chance at his passion. In 1987 an interesting situation presented itself to Jim. A family friend Brenda Waggoner had just been elected Judge to the General Sessions Court. She would soon sit on the bench and would need a staff in place. Knowing Jim's interest in Law she made him an offer that he could not...would not refuse. She asked Jim to become part of her team and be her Officer of the Court. Jim couldn't say no to family friends, or to Brenda. Soon after, Jim had a second full time job working for Judge Waggoner as Officer of the Court for Knox County General Sessions Court. Unfortunately, Jim's wife Jennie passed away in 1989. She lived to see her husband return to his passion of working in Law. She was proud. A hidden blessing perhaps. A new world of knowing. A new way of doing. "I learned a lot about the Judicial System of the State of Tennessee. It was another school for me....a dream I did accomplish. I made lots of friends and met a lot of people" Jim did this for twenty years. Another chance to be involved in the legal system. It was a career in Law. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jennie Cavalaris Peroulas. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted family: daughter, Maria Peroulas; son and daughter-in-law, John and Mary Beth Peroulas; granddaughter, Demetria Peroulas; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Mary Peroulas all of Knoxville; sister and brother-in-law, Metaxia and Valisarious Alestas of Athens, Greece; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, Mary and Alex Mijalis, Christine and John Cosse all of Shreveport, LA; many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes a “Special Thanks” to Dr. Michael D. Underwood, Dr. James T, Kirby and The Parkwest Medical Center Staff for their Compassionate Care during Jim’s illness. The family requests memorials may be made to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919.

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James John Peroulas

October 1, 1915 - January 27, 2010