Nicholas John Janoulis

Nicholas John Janoulis, age 85, passed away peacefully earlier this week. A lifelong resident of Atlanta, he was a revered educator, hall of fame wrestling coach, devoted husband, and loving father. He was a lifetime member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.

Born in Atlanta in 1941, Nick was the cherished only child of the late John and Chrysanthe Janoulis. He attended Druid Hills School—housed in the landmark 1929 building designed by renowned architect Neel Reid—from first through twelfth grade, graduating in the Class of 1959. It was during his formative years at Druid Hills that he discovered his passion for wrestling, quickly distinguishing himself on the mat. He captured the title at the inaugural Georgia High School Association State Wrestling Championship in 1958, earned Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Championship honors four times, and reigned as a state and AAU champion from 1957 through 1959.

Following high school, he attended North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia) before transferring to the University of Georgia, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Pi fraternity, briefly competed as a wrestler, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education. He went on to further his scholarship by earning a Master of Education degree from Georgia State University.

Nick dedicated 35 years to shaping young minds and mentoring athletes across the DeKalb County School System. He began his distinguished career at Gordon High School, where he taught and served as a football coach and head wrestling coach from 1965 to 1972. He then joined the faculty at Lakeside High School, where he spent the remainder of his tenure teaching social studies and serving as head wrestling coach, as well as coaching football, track, and soccer until his retirement in 1998. Under his leadership, the 1997 Lakeside wrestling team captured the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AAA State Championship—a milestone that earned him DeKalb County, Georgia Class AAA, and USA Wrestling Georgia Chapter Coach of the Year honors. In recognition of his decades of steadfast leadership and profound influence on the sport, he received the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award in 2013 and was inducted into the Lakeside High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Beyond his athletic accolades and professional achievements, Nick was a man of profound integrity, generosity, and honor. He remained an avid reader, dedicated weightlifter, and lifelong jogger. In his retirement years, he enjoyed gardening and solving crossword puzzles in ink. His deepest devotion was always reserved for his family.

Nick is survived by his beloved wife Celesta Janoulis, his daughter Nicole, and his son-in-law Kevin Freeman.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, located at 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, followed by a reception back at the Cathedral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Nick’s honor to the American Heart Association, Paws for Purple Hearts, or to a charity of one’s choice.