George P. Kalas, Jr., "Gee", 68, a 17-year resident of Annapolis and formerly of Upper Marlboro, MD, passed away on August 15, 2016 at his home.
Born on December 10, 1947 in Washington, DC to the late Jean and George P. Kalas, Sr., Gee graduated from St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and St. John's College High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Villanova University and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the Catholic University of America. Gee began his career as a social worker, then felt the call to help his parents as they opened the George P. Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill in the early 1970s. He completed his academics by obtaining a degree in Mortuary Science at the Catonsville Community College. Gee assumed the presidency of the company upon his father's retirement in 1982. As the company grew, Gee and his brother, Bob, saw an opportunity to expand and together they opened a second funeral home in 1997 in Edgewater, MD. In 2007, Gee was awarded the 2007 Business Partner of the Year Award from the Catholic Business Network of Prince George's County. Gee was a member and former Board of Directors' Vice President of the Old South Country Club and a member of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, listening to music, weekly Trivia games at Galway Bay, and studying Greek. His passion though was his family, and just spending time with them brought him the greatest joy.
Gee is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Ellen Kalas; three children, George P. (K.K.) Kalas III of Edgewater, Kristina (Trip) Harrison of Annapolis, and Rachel Kessler of Simi Valley, CA; a sister, Kathy (Joseph) Thibadeau of Dunwoody, GA; brother, Robert (Glynis) Kalas of Annapolis; eight grandchildren, Jack and Burke Harrison, George P. "Gus" IV, Genevieve and Graydon Kalas, and Noah, Reed and Ellie Kessler; many nieces, nephews and other family members, numerous friends and a staff who admired him greatly.
Friends are invited to celebrate Gee's life with his family on Thursday, August 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, August 19 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of George Kalas, Jr. to the Old South Pink and Blue Memorial Cancer Golf Tournament, payable to the Old South Charitable Trust, c/o Margaret S. Owens, 5932 Little River Road, Lothian MD 20711.
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