George T. Kerhulas; Company President

George T. Kerhulas, founder and president of a business specializing in detecting shoplifting and employee theft, has died in Brentwood. He was 73.

He died Saturday of a heart attack while playing golf, said his wife, Lucille Kerhulas.

Kerhulas, who was born and raised in San Francisco, served three years in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of lieutenant. In 1947, he opened Commercial Service Systems, a Hollywood-based company that helped businesses stop existing theft problems and trained their personnel to handle such problems.

The company eventually moved its headquarters to Van Nuys and opened six other offices in the Western United States. Kerhulas remained company president until his death.

Kerhulas was a member of several organizations including Axios, a social and philanthropic group of Greek businessmen, and the Sportsmen, a Greek golfing club.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years; a son, Ted Kerhulas of Malibu; a daughter, Elisa Coleman of Redondo Beach; a brother, Nick Kerhulas of Bakersfield; a sister, Rosie Chagaris of Los Alamitos, and three grandchildren.

A funeral was held Tuesday, with burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills, which handled the arrangements.

Donations can be made in Kerhulas’ name to the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles.