James K. (Jimmy) Nicopoulos

High Point-James K. Nicopoulos, 79, of High Point, NC, (known as Jimmy), passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, December 11, 2015. He went home to be an angel with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born to his late beloved parents, Konstandinos Dimitrios Nicopoulos and Xrisanthi Haralambos Kotsionis, on July 23, 1936, in Kalesmeno, Evrytania, a remote village in the central mountains of Greece. After the war, he came to America in 1955 on the ship "Queen Frederica". He was 19 years old and was looking to begin a new life and to find the American dream.

Jimmy returned to Greece in 1962 and in 1963 married the love of his life Maria Ballas from Marathia, Evrytania, Greece. They returned to America and opened their first restaurant in downtown High Point called the Nugget House. They operated Steve's Pizza House, later to become Jimmy's Pizza House, on Main Street (which is still operating today) in 1972. Jimmy and Maria were lifetime restauranteurs in High Point, operating Betty's White House, and creating the well known seafood restaurants Skipper's Seafood and Sanabel's Seafood, both which are still popular today.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Maria Nicopoulos, and three daughters, Christina Prentzas of High Point, Penelope Kaliviotis and husband, Sotirios, Cathy Liaskonis and husband John, of Winston-Salem. He is also survived by six dear grandchildren, Litsa Prentzas, Lena and Johnny Kaliviotis, and Vasili, Ritsa, Demetri Liaskonis. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Harvey Kotsionis, and his beloved sister Koula Rogatsios. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Jane Kotsionis. He leaves behind a host of many beloved family and friends, dear employees and extended business family.

Jimmy loved the High Point community and had a multitude of friends and restaurant customers. This love was reciprocated by the community and he was honored on June 18, 2006, by the city's proclaiming that day as "James K. Nicopoulos Day". Jimmy was an active advocate for the downtown community of High Point as well as High Point University and ΛΧΑ fraternity. It was his passion to bring back a thriving downtown. Jimmy also loved the Greek community of his roots and he served as parish council president and board member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church for many years. He was a member of the Velouchi Evrytania Association of America and the Kalesmeno Association. Jimmy continued to support his village church in Greece and other organizations to keep his Greek heritage alive.

A visitation will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, December 14, with a Trisagion service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church with Fr. Anton Frunza and Fr. Dimitri Kangerleris officiating. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that those wishing to make memorials direct them to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Trust Fund.

Sechrest Funeral Service in High Point is honored to serve the Nicopoulos family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.sechrestfunerals.com