Dimitrios (James) Konstantine Xoinis
Dimitrios (James) Konstantine Xoinis, 94, long-time Chattanooga restaurateur, went home to His Lord and Savior on February 28, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Immigrating from Karitsa, Greece, he arrived in the United States in May of 1951. He was the son of Konstantine Xoinis and Eleni Dimopoulos Xoinis both of whom perished in the Greek Civil War. He is survived by his loving wife, of 64 years, Ellen Hill Xoinis, and his four children: Carol Xoinis West, Konstantine Dimitrios Xoinis, Penelope Xoinis Jensen, and Mathew J. Xoinis of FloridaAdditional family includes his brothers-inlaw, Constantine (Gus) Kythas, Glenn Hill, and Jack Evans; and sisters-in-law, Starvoula Xoinis, Eleanor Evans, and Evelyn Hill; sons-in-law, Steve West and Bill Jensen; and Daughter-in-law, Paula Xoinis; He very much loved his Grandchildren, Peyton Layne West, Konstantine Dimitrios Xoinis, Jr., Jamie Lee West, Alexandra Maegan Xoinis, Nicholas William Xoinis, and Jonathan Paul Xoinis, and Great Grandchildren, Oscar Brutus West, Archer Wyatt West, and Violet Sky West, and their Mother Jessica West; and his nephews, Leon Kolokithas, Harry Kythas, Konstantine Pericles Xoinis, and Konstantine Nicolou; and his nieces, Elena Xoinis Rollins, and Helen Nicolou. Mr. Xoinis was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law Hardy Flowers Hill and Eva Dawson Hill; brother, John Nicolou and sister-in-law Voula Nicolou; his sister Maria Xoinis Kythas and brother John Konstantine Xoinis; and brother-in laws Carlton Hill, Horace Hill; and baby sister-in-law Geraldine Hill.
Mr. Xoinis was raised in the small village Karitsa, comprised of about 100 families in the mountains of northern central Greece. During his childhood, around the age of 11-12, he became very ill, and his mother promised God that if he lived, he would do service for the Lord. Mr. Xoinis served in the Proussos Monastery near Karitsa, Greece for 3-6 months and loved the experience of service. Afterwards, he returned home to help his family in the small village tending the sheep and goats. Mr. Xoinis served as Captain in the Greek Government Army backed by the United Kingdom and the United States during the Greek Civil War between 1946 and 1949. He was a true patriot of Greece and the United States. From the age of 13 years until his service in the Greek Army, and also after the war, he worked in Athens, Greece, for his Uncle Dimitrios “Taki” Grigoriou, a local shop owner, until he was brought to the United States by his uncle, Phillip Dimos in 1951.
He was brought to Augusta, Georgia, by his uncle and aunt, the late Nick and Olympia Dimos, where he worked in their restaurant, Home Folks, for several years. He then moved to South Hill, Virginia, to work with his Uncle and Aunt, James (Pantelis Zaharopoulos) and Penelope Kustos, at the Ambassador Restaurant, which was just across the street where his future wife Ellen Hill worked at the Local Grocery. Ellen’s high school friends Francis, Vivian, and Nicki Kustos also played a match-making role with James and Ellen. In January 1955, James and Ellen were married and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where they had their first child Carol Xoinis.
In 1957, James and Ellen moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where he partnered with his brothers John Nicolou and John Xoinis, to own and operate the O’l South Restaurant (formerly Browns Barbecue, renovated) on South Broad Street until 1982 when James retired. Many daily customers remember and enjoyed his cooking, commenting many times over about his Country Style Steak, Navy Bean Soup or Bread Pudding. They held Greek Night two nights a week serving authentic Greek cuisine in the private dining room. From 1957 to 1975, three other children were born to James and Ellen Xoinis, Konstantine (Dino), Penelope, and Matthew. James always supported his family and community, coming to afterschool practices, baseball, football, and softball games. Many of his friends will remember him sitting in his special chair, chewing his favorite cigar, and cheering on the team. He supported the community thru the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, and Lookout Valley Booster Club, and sponsored the O’l South Men’s Softball Team playing at Warner Park. He also enjoyed participating in community projects and preparing food for friends in need. He served at Lookout Baptist Church preparing food for the Wednesday night suppers. He resided in the community for 60 years. He was an avid professional sports fan keeping up with football, baseball, and basketball -- including the spreads -- and always maintained a healthy balance of work, family, friends, and community. After his retirement, he loved to enhance the landscape with garden and flower beds, and plantings of cedar, fig, and olive trees. His experiences in Greece formed him into the man he became as a husband and a father, and a Papou, and a very honored and proud citizen of the United States. Kindhearted, persevering, giving, thankful and Christ-like best describe Mr. Xoinis’ growth as a man.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. The funeral service will begin at 12:00, and an onsite interment will occur in the mausoleum following funeral service. A reception for family and friends will be held at the Wauhatchie United Methodist Church, 3401 Cummings Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37419, following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wauhatchie United Methodist Church, 3401 Cummings Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37419.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com