Dr. George A. Voikos

Dr. George Voikos was an accomplished physician, a veteran of the Air Force, and a respected member of many medical boards and community organizations. He was devoted to his Family Practice, and provided the finest medical care for his patients. First and foremost, however, George was a husband, son, father and grandfather. A kind, loving, and generous man, George was never happier than when surrounded by his loved ones. George’s keen intelligence, gentle sense of humor, dedication, and passion will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives he touched.

George was born on January 2, 1930, to proud parents Arthur and Sophia (Noti) Voikos. The Voikos family lived in Florina, Greece, a thriving market town situated in a wooded valley just a few miles south of Greece’s northern border. Their home was located at the base of a huge mountain, and as a result George became an adept skier at an early age. George’s father, Arthur, owned a fine furniture factory in Florina, while Sophia stayed at home to run the household and raise the children. They also helped to run a vineyard owned by George’s grandmother. George enjoyed playing around the vineyard, and loved snacking on the delicious grapes!

In 1940, Arthur and Sophia made the decision to immigrate to the United States. Arthur and Jim were the first to move to America, leaving Sophia and ten-year-old George in Greece while they made a home in a new land. Tragically, Arthur passed away soon after arriving in the States. Due to the war in Europe, it was impossible to send letters back to Greece, and it was some time before Sophia and George learned of Arthur’s death. In the meantime, World War II had reached their very doorstep – a German captain was quartered in their home after the Nazis took over Florina. Although George was only a boy, he was active in the underground, and did everything he could to resist the Nazis.

George and Sophia finally immigrated to the U.S. in 1946 as Europe was recovering from the ravages of the war and the soldiers were returning home. They rejoined Jim in Jackson, Michigan, and started their new life as Americans. Although George didn’t know any English when he arrived in Michigan, he studied every chance he got and graduated with honors from Wayne State University. He then went on to further studies at the University of Michigan Medical School where he graduated with a Medical Doctorate in Family Practice in 1956.

Although George was a hard worker, he also made time for friends and family – he believed in the “work hard, play hard” philosophy. One evening at a party, George made the acquaintance of a beautiful young lady named Marion Vlietinck. All it took was one glance for George to realize he had found the love of his life. George and Marion started dating, and were married on June 12, 1954. The happy couple settled into married life in Traverse City, Michigan where George was doing his medical residency. After the completion of his residency, George joined the Air Force and served as an Air Force Captain from 1958 to 1960.

As the years went by, George and Marion were blessed with three daughters, whom they named Susan, Nancy, and Debbie. The Voikos family made their home in Muskegon, Michigan, where George had a private family practice for thirty-five years. George was a talented and compassionate physician, devoted to his practice and his patients. He was always willing to go the extra mile, and spent many long days serving on various hospital boards and was Chief of Staff at Mercy Hospital.

In addition to his thriving medical practice, George was an active and well-known member of the Muskegon community. He was a member of St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, the Muskegon Medical Society, American Medical Association, Muskegon Astronomy Club and served on multiple medical boards. In his leisure time, George performed in the Muskegon Civic Opera, formed The C-Note Muskegon Investment Club, was an expert snow skier, and enjoyed sailing, golf, tennis, and traveling.

George became a proud grandfather with the birth of his first grandchild, Aaron Vriesman. He was very close to all his grandchildren, and was famous for pinching their cheeks jokingly and calling them by his favorite endearment, “Spookinokie.” George also had a special relationship with his mother, and they remained close until her death in 1980.

George was an expert skier who skied Boyne Mountain, Vail, Aspen, Europe and the Bugaboos all prior to retirement. He retired from his medical practice in 1990, and set out to make the most of his golden years. He and Marion spent the winter months in Vail skiing over 100 days each year for more than 20 years. In the summer months, when he couldn’t be on the slopes, George enjoyed sailing on the Caribbean and Lake Michigan, golfing, swimming and playing tennis. He also enjoyed traveling, and made many happy memories with Marion during trips to Greece, Colorado, Mackinac Island, and out West. For the past 20 years, George and Marion have wintered in sunny Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Intelligent, likeable, easygoing and generous, George was a loving husband, a proud father and grandfather, a loyal friend, and a dedicated physician. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Dr. George A. Voikos died on January 18, 2013, at the age of 83. George’s family includes his wife, Marion; his daughters, Susan (Greg) Vriesman of Hart, Nancy (Sam) Kotlewski of UT, and Debbie (Jerry Nystrom) Voikos of East Grand Rapids; his grandchildren, Aaron, Sara, Michael, Shane, Rachel, and Alysha; 7 great grandchildren; his brother, James (Adelina) Voikos of St. Clair Shores, MI; his cousin, Violet Voikos-Greene; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Anna, in 1994.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, with Fr. Phil Salmonowicz officiating. Friends are invited to join the family for visitation on Monday, 2-4 and 6-8pm., at Clock Life Story Funeral Home of Muskegon, with a rosary service at 4 p.m. Visitation also on Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit George’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.