John A. Varlas

John Athanasios Varlas
November 28, 1934 – June 3, 2026
John Athanasios Varlas, 91, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family, on June 3, 2026.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Potoula (Kalavritinos) Varlas; his devoted children, Sophia (Greg), Athanasios (Evana), and Vagelis (Ashley); his cherished grandchildren, Panayiota, Andreas, John, John, Julian, and Mia; his treasured great-grandson, Angelo; his loving brothers, Stratis (Mary) and Nick (Vaso); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Cathy, and his sister, Olympia (Vagelis).

John was born on November 28, 1934, in Magoula, Sparta, Greece to Athanasios and Sophia (Anagnostopoulos) Varlas. He was the eldest of 4 children and at the age of sixteen, following the hardships that gripped Greece after World War II and the Greek Civil War, he courageously immigrated alone to the United States through Ellis Island in search of opportunity and a better future.

He first settled in New Jersey with his Theo George Barlas, where he worked long hours washing dishes in the family-owned restaurant while learning English and adapting to life in America. He later moved to Raleigh, NC, with his Thea Rinoula Loomis, where he attended Needham B. Broughton High School while working in the family business at the Palmetto Restaurant. Through hard work and an unwavering belief in himself, he graduated from high school and laid the foundation for a life that would embody the American dream.

As a young man, John possessed tremendous energy, charisma, and ambition. He continued to work hard in the restaurant business at the Hot Shoppes at Key Bridge and became an award-winning dance instructor with Arthur Murray Dance Studios, teaching ballroom and Latin dancing from 1957 to 1961. He won many awards, and his talent earned him national recognition, a coveted Arthur Murray gold watch, and a trip to Puerto Rico after placing among the top instructors in the country.

In 1956, John married Peggy King, and together they welcomed their daughter, Cathy. During those years,
John worked tirelessly and was driven by ambition and an exceptional work ethic, he pursued every opportunity to learn and grow. He partnered with his uncle, Lou Bouras, in the Buff and Blue Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., while gaining valuable experience in the restaurant
industry. Recognizing John’s potential, his uncle Tom Ross arranged for him to train with Swift & Company, where he learned the meat-cutting trade and developed a deeper understanding of restaurant operations. Soon after, he managed one of his uncle’s many restaurants, the Charcoal Hearth at the Holiday Inn on S. Glebe Road in Arlington, VA and later purchased that restaurant, marking one of his earliest and most significant milestones. The success of the Charcoal Hearth became the foundation for a flourishing career in the restaurant business. John went on to own other successful restaurants throughout the Washington DC area, including Gentleman John’s, Poor Richard’s, Petoula’s, Angelo’s, and later the Shark Clubs.

Those exciting years were filled with adventure and the rewards of his hard-earned success. John had a passion for life and enjoyed its many experiences. He owned several memorable cars, including a 1967 olive-green Corvette Sting Ray convertible powered with a 427 big-block engine, and a black four-door Lincoln Continental convertible. He enjoyed boating on the Potomac aboard his blue-and-white boat, riding motorcycles, was an avid gun collector, and owned horses, including a racing horse and a Palomino that his daughter Cathy proudly rode in competitions, earning numerous blue ribbons. Never
one to do things halfway, he even had a pet monkey for a time.

Following the end of his first marriage, John continued building his career and his future. While visiting Greece, John met the love of his life, Potoula Kalavritinos, on 2/26/1971. Their connection was immediate and they became engaged five days later, and were married on 5/29/1971, at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA. Together they built a beautiful life in Vienna, VA that was centered on faith, family, hard work, and love. Their marriage was blessed with three children—Sophia, Athanasios, and Vagelis—and grew to include six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

At the age of 62, John’s life changed dramatically when he suffered a massive stroke. Though the stroke imposed significant physical limitations, it never diminished the essence of who he was. He remained mentally sharp, strong-willed, engaged, and deeply connected to the world around him. He maintained opinions on everything, shared them freely, and continued to be the commanding presence at the center of every family gathering. His resilience and fighting spirit were an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

The nearly thirty years that followed stand as a testament not only to John’s perseverance, but also to the unwavering devotion of his beloved wife, Potoula who dedicated herself to ensuring that he lived a good life. Together with their children and grandchildren, she created a life filled with dignity, comfort, companionship, laughter, and purpose. He was surrounded by family who loved him deeply.

As the years passed, John’s greatest accomplishments were the family he nurtured and the memories he created. Nothing brought him more pride than watching his family grow, succeed, and build families of their own. His deepest joy was a home always full of life. He loved family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and the constant stream of grandchildren, friends, and laughter that filled his home. He celebrated every milestone, no matter how big or small. He was always present, always interested, and always invested in their lives.

His grandchildren became one of the greatest blessings of his life. They adored him, fiercely protected him, cared for him, and remained devoted to him until his final days. Yet even as they supported him, he never stopped supporting them. He was their biggest fan, their loudest cheerleader, their trusted advisor, and often their most generous benefactor, never missing an opportunity to slip them a few dollars or offer encouragement. The bond they shared sustained him and helped preserve the joy, purpose, and spirit that defined him.

John never lost his zest for life. He enjoyed traveling to Florida to visit with his sons and grandchildren, sunbathing at the beach, spending hours playing cards around the table enjoying lively games of gin rummy and poker with family and friends. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and shared jokes, often repeating favorite punchlines. One of his enduring pieces of advice was simple yet profound: “Don’t be a wallflower.” It was his way of reminding those he loved to participate fully in life, embrace opportunities, and never be afraid to step into the moment.

More than anything, John was the patriarch of his family that remains closely connected because of the foundation he built. His strength, loyalty, generosity, humor, and love shaped generations. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the values he instilled, and the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

May his memory be eternal and may God grant him rest among the righteous. Though we mourn his passing, we find comfort knowing he is reunited with our Lord and all those who have gone before him. We are forever grateful for 91 years of love, guidance, and cherished memories that will bind us together always.

Funeral Services
Friday, June 12, 2026
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA
• Visitation: 10:00 a.m.
• Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.
• Interment: 1:00 p.m., National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory can be made to St. Katherine’s Greek
Orthodox Church, https://www.saint-katherines.org/