Colonel (Ret.) Dean John Danos

Dean J. Danos peacefully passed away on January 27, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 13, 1943 in Chicago, IL to John and Bertha Danos. He received his bachelors degree from the University of Kentucky in Marketing Management in 1966. While at UK, Dean played football, pledged Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and enrolled in the ROTC program. Upon graduation from UK he was commissioned into the United States Air Force and went to Del Rio, Texas for pilot training. His first assignment was SouthEast Asia,Vietnam where he flew over 300 combat missions in the AC-47 Gunship, known as Spooky, from May 1968 to June 1969.

On August 29, 1971, Dean and Penny were married in the Greek Orthodox Church in Lexington, KY. They started their life together as newlyweds in Selma, AL where Dean was a T-38 instructor pilot and squadron commander. In March 1976 Deans career took them to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV where he was assigned to the Aggressors. He earned his Masters Degree from Golden Gate University in Information Systems Management in 1986. In August 1988 the Air Force relocated the family to Vicenza, Italy. During this tour, Dean led the 5th ATAFs crisis action team and was responsible for the movement of all NATO assets and supplies from Europe to Saudi Arabia during DESERT SHIELD/STORM. He pinned on Colonel December 1, 1989.

Upon his orders to San Antonio, TX in August 1991, Dean and his family returned to the United States. He took on various roles while at Randolph Air Force Base, including Base Commander, before retiring in 1997. Dean had a tremendous 30 year career and it was his honor to serve our great country and nation. After retiring from the Air Force, Dean worked in leadership roles, culminating as the Executive Director with the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG).

Dean was a member and Vice President of the AHEPA, served multiple terms as Parish Council President, and was a consummate volunteer of his time and talents at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in San Antonio. In November 2021, Dean was recognized by His Eminence Elipidophoros, Archbishop of America, with The Archdiocesan Medal of St. Paul for his outstanding service and commitment to the church. Dean was very humbled to receive such an honor.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Penny Danos; children, Stephanie Danos, John Danos, Athena and Chris Varcados, Katherine and Jim Rebello; grandchildren, Sophia Kubik, John Kubik, Alexander Varcados, Maria Varcados, Julia Rebello and Rose Rebello; and his siblings, Elaine Stefanos, Peter and Meg Danos, and Julie and Jim Calderone. Dean was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Irene Stefanos. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Porter Loring North Mortuary.

TRISAGION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

7:00 PM

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

FUNERAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

9:00 AM

ST. SOPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX

504 N. ST. MARYS

To view the livestreaming of the service, click here.

Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Danos, Peter Danos, CMSgt (ret) John Kubik, Yianni Kubik, Jim Rebello, Chris Varcados, and Alexander Varcados. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church.