George James Yelagotes

Dr. George James Yelagotes passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on July 20, 2024, at the age of 92. Those who knew and loved him can attest that he was an

extraordinary individual, and his spirit will be carried on by his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. George was married to the love of his life, Zaferula Valudes Yelagotes, with whom he shared 59 years of joyous marriage.

George, the son of James and Despina Yelagotes, was born in the village of Kalloni, Lesvos, Greece on January 21, 1932. In October of 1946, he emigrated with his family to the US where they settled in Lewistown, PA. There, not knowing the language, he and his sisters were placed in the first grade as teenagers. Always thirsting for knowledge, George quickly picked up the English language and swiftly progressed through his schooling, graduating from McCaskey High School in Lancaster, PA, at the age of 21. He was immediately drafted and proudly served in the US Army, completing a tour in Germany.

After being honorably discharged from the army, he returned to the US and attended Franklin and Marshall College, graduating with a degree in Sociology. He then obtained his Masters Degree in Rural Sociology from Penn State University, and was awarded his Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania. For over 35 years, he cultivated his passion for teaching at many prestigious universities including Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southwestern Louisiana, and Millersville University, where he retired with the title of Professor Emeritus in 2000.

While at Millersville University, he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociological Society and the American Sociological Society. He also served in the faculty senate, was chairman of both the grievance committee and the promotion and tenure committee, as well as president of the faculty union, APSCUF.

George was also a proud member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, serving on the Parish Council and was an avid member of AHEPA, acting as treasurer for many years.

Annually, he volunteered his time cooking tirelessly for the Greek Food Bazaar.

George and Zaferula loved to travel and spent many years exploring our great nation, including touring 47 states, where they truly appreciated the magnificence of our National Parks. They also visited numerous countries and territories including Canada, the Caribbean Islands, France, including the Riviera and Normandy, and of course their beloved homeland of Greece, where they enjoyed many vacations on their home islands of Lesvos and Kos. In his free time, George tended to his huge backyard garden, including his most prized, juicy beefsteak tomatoes. Many enjoyed the fruits of his labors as he generously shared with friends and family. George also was known as a jack-of-all-trades, tinkering with his cars and pick-up trucks, and was quite the handyman. There was nothing George could not fix.

George is survived by many in his extensive family including his wife, Zaferula, and three daughters, Melissa Vulopas, wife of Joseph, Dana Keares, wife of Demetrius, and Elizabeth Gatti, partner of Randall Stevens. In addition to his six beloved grandchildren who adored their Papou, Jamison Vulopas, Ava Vulopas, Austin Keares, Parker Keares, Julian Gatti, and Ivan Gatti, he is survived by his loving sister Themis Karamanos, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Gabriel Gatti, his parents, James and Despina Yelagotes, and his adoring sister, Dawn Giordas.

Friends and family are cordially invited to share in the celebration of George’s life with a viewing on Wednesday evening, July 24, from 6-8PM with the Trisagion at 7PM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. A viewing and funeral service will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 on Thursday July 25, with a viewing from 9:30-10:30AM and funeral starting at 10:30AM followed by interment at Conestoga Memorial Park.

Contributions can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, at the above address and Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.