James "Jamo" Michael Pihakis

Born on the 12th of April 1932 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Michael Pihakis and Sophia Pantley Pihakis.

Jamo is preceded in death by his three brothers and one sister, Louis Pihakis, Manuel Pihakis, Mary Pihakis, and Gust Pihakis. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen Joyce Nakos Pihakis; three children, Agatha Pihakis, Sam Pihakis, and Dino Pihakis (Jennifer); and two grandchildren, Lexi Pihakis and James Andrew Pihakis; and by his sizeable Greek family filled with numerous relatives and friends.

Jamo earned his BA degree from Waynesburg College and served as a Midshipman in the United States Navy. He was a Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral member and a life member of the Sam S Nakos Chapter 3 of AHEPA. In 2021, Jamo was inducted into the Alabama Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for service to the sport in the state of Alabama, Jamo served as Vice President of Sterling Distributors and was the owner of Surfside Marina and Restaurant in Pensacola Beach, Florida and Jamo & Sons Deli in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. After retirement, he enjoyed sitting on the beach, with the ocean breeze, cigar in hand, with his neighbors from Pensacola Beach while entertaining family and friends.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation on Friday, the 29th of September, at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral from five to seven o’clock in the evening. The Trisagion Service will commence at seven o’clock that evening. At the church on Saturday, the 30th of September, the family will receive visitors from ten to eleven o'clock, and the funeral service will be conducted at 11 o'clock, with burial immediately following at Elmwood Cemetery. Following internment, the family will welcome guests to the Makaria luncheon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral’s Camp Vakakes Chapel, 307 19th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233.

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.

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