Kostas Panou was born in 1933 in Viniani, Evrytania to Antonios and Spiridoula (Tsolias) Panou. He was the youngest of six children, and the only son among them. His sisters were Fotini, Panagiota, Vasiliki, Maria, and Sofia (who tragically passed away at a young age). His military service was as an aviation electrician for airplanes in the Greek Air Force. Afterwards, his family made sacrifices to send him to America in 1956, so he could pursue a better life and offer financial assistance to the family he left behind. True to tradition, he made sure all of his sisters were married before he was. In 1962, he traveled back to Viniani where he married Ekaterini S. Nikopoulos (1944-2013), the daughter of Serafim and Eleni Nikopoulos. At the end of 1962 they arrived in America together. It was the first time Ekaterini had traveled away from her family and village. They settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, and by 1963 had welcomed their first son Antonios. In 1968, they welcomed their second son, Serafim. Kostas was a lifelong restaurateur, having owned and operated several businesses throughout his life alongside his family. He was also a chanter at the Greek Church his entire life─having been taught by his father, who also held the role.

He occasionally enjoyed dove and rabbit hunting, was passionate about his work, and will be remembered for the lasting affection he held for his family.