George Panos

Dr. George Panos, 85, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.

A Charleston, South Carolina native, George was born to Demetrius and Melpomeni A. Panos on December 9, 1937. He graduated from College of Charleston before completing his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina. While at College of Charleston, George lettered in tennis, sparking a lifelong love of the sport. He served honorably in both the Army and Army Reserve. George worked in education for decades, beginning as a high school teacher in South Carolina before eventually moving to Georgia to become a long-time college professor at Columbus State University. He also worked in private practice as a marriage and family counselor.

George was passionate about both tennis and education, and spent many years volunteering and advocating for both. He spent much of his retirement playing and officiating tennis matches, serving as both a junior tennis official as well as a Southeastern Conference collegiate tennis official, all while also playing competitively in Columbus’ CORTA tennis league. He also volunteered his time at a local elementary school in addition to the HEAD START program.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Demetrius and Melpomeni Panos, and wife, Mary Elizabeth Badger Panos.

George is survived by his son, George Alexander Panos (Amy), and two grandchildren, Brett Nicholas Panos and John Thomas Panos, of Atlanta, Georgia; his brother, Nicholas (Teddie), of Suwanee, Georgia; and his sister, Dena, of Charleston, South Carolina.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Visitation will take place beginning at 10:00 AM with funeral services to follow at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CORTA, P.O. Box 8236, Columbus, Georgia 31908, or Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31907, with acknowledgment to Alex Panos, 985 Seaboard Avenue NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.