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Former Martinsburg Mayor George Karos remembered for kindness, commitment to city

Then-Martinsburg Mayor George Karos reads the Tuesday, June 15, 2004, USA Today newspaper in Patterson’s Drug Store. The cover story was about Martinsburg. (Photo Provided)

MARTINSBURG — Berkeley County, and Martinsburg specifically, is sharing grief at the loss of longtime city resident and public servant, George Karos.

Karos, who served for 24 years as an at-large council member (1976-2000) and then an additional 20 years as mayor, passed away Sunday at Hospice of the Panhandle’s in-patient facility.

Karos was the previous owner and operator of Patterson’s Drug Store, retiring in 2015. As an active member of the Martinsburg community, Karos played key roles in developing many initiatives and economic development projects, including the historic downtown redevelopment and the creation of Main Street Martinsburg. Karos was instrumental in bringing to life the Martinsburg Initiative in the city, as well.

Karos held many professional affiliations, including the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy, Berkeley County Development Authority, the Rotary and Elks clubs, Eastern Panhandle Builders Association and more.

Friends, acquaintances and those who worked with Karos were quick this week to point out attributes of a man dedicated to his hometown.

“Mr. Karos was a great and kind man,” said former Martinsburg Police Chief George Swartwood. “He was an outstanding mayor and a true icon of our community. In my tenure with the Martinsburg Police Department, I found him to be instrumental in so many plans and projects for the betterment of the city.”

In 2022, then-Delegate Jason Barrett presented a state legislative resolution highlighting Karos’ service. In part, that resolution included information about projects Karos initiated or completed while on council or in the mayor’s seat.

“During his tenure, Mayor Karos was part of numerous multiple public capital improvement and economic development projects, including the construction of the current city hall building, in the mid-1980s, the development of the Foxcroft Avenue commercial district, annexation of more than 700 acres west of Interstate 81, construction of the Caperton Train Station and the redesign of the town square, gateway signage and police department-municipal court building projects, as well as the extension of North Raleigh Street, from West Race Street to Edwin Miller Boulevard,” the resolution read.

Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles shared his thoughts on the passing of his predecessor, saying, “He fought for 30 years to get the Raleigh Street Extension that opened up the city for commerce. We have been able to play off that.

“The first time I met him, I learned what a fine gentleman he was,” Knowles continued, saying that Karos was always professional. “He had a way of communicating that brought people together,” Knowles said, adding that one could have a discussion where you didn’t agree but still go out to dinner that evening as friends.

Berkeley County Commission President Eddie Gochenour, in an official statement on behalf of the commission, acknowledged Karos’ involvement in the street extension.

“The completion of the Raleigh Street Extension in collaboration with the Berkeley County Commission, among many other projects in Martinsburg, will forever be a testament to the mayor’s steadfast resolve for the betterment of the community,” Gochenour said. “George Karos devoted his life to public service, and he was equally unwavering in his support for historic downtown Martinsburg as a business owner. He will be missed.”

Maria Lorensen, former Journal editor and now development director for Hospice of the Panhandle, remembered Karos as a “wonderful mayor, councilperson, pharmacist and community member. He was also a true philanthropist — so generous to so many community organizations,” she added.

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