Leonard James Dannels

January 13, 1950 – September 10, 2026

Leonard James Dannels passed away peacefully on September 10, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of unconditional love, endless curiosity, and a family built not just by blood, but by the heart.

Born on Friday, January 13, 1950, to Florence and Chester Dannels, Leonard was a man who never met a stranger. While most people might look at Friday the 13th with superstition, Leonard always proudly disagreed—he considered it his luckiest day, and he lived every day thereafter with that same optimism. Gifted with a sharp memory that rarely forgot a single detail or moment, he was a lifelong learner who could talk to anyone about anything. Whether he was reading a good book, glued to the History channel, or sporting one of his trademark goofy bucket hats and a loud print shirt—with a splash of insanely-hot hot sauce on his food—Leonard was endlessly fascinated by the world around him, and always ready with a fun fact or piece of random trivia to share.

Leonard was born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, alongside his two older sisters, Wilma and Alameda. He graduated from Hellgate High School in Missoula, Montana, in 1969 before heading west to San Francisco to attend dental technician school. After finishing his studies, he returned to Sheridan—a move that set the stage for the rest of his life.

It was back in Sheridan where a mutual friend, Mike Cates, set Leonard up on a blind date with Dorothy. The moment he met her, he knew she was the one. Just one month into dating, Leonard was so sure of their future that he proposed—though Dorothy turned him down. Undeterred and fearless when it came to matters of the heart, he asked again just two weeks later, and this time she said yes.

By their three-month anniversary, on September 22, 1973, they were married. During the ceremony, Leonard was so eager to marry Dorothy that he blurted out "I do!" before it was time, prompting the officiant to gently remind him to wait—a moment that sparked a good laugh and became a cherished core memory for Dorothy of his devotion. Ever the man for details, Leonard never forgot their very first kiss as a married couple, stamped forever in his mind at exactly 2:20 PM.

His devotion to Dorothy only grew over time. On their 50th wedding anniversary, they held a second ceremony to renew their vows because he loved her so much he wanted to marry her twice. He never missed a chance to tell people how long they had been married, and even in his final days, he was holding on to celebrate one more anniversary with the love of his life.

When Leonard stood at the altar and married Dorothy, he made a quiet, resolute vow to protect, care for, and unconditionally love both her and her children. Loving big was never something that intimidated Leonard; his heart simply had an endless capacity for it. True to his word, he

stepped up without hesitation to adopt Dorothy’s three young boys—Paul, Caesar, and Jon, who were just 1, 2, and 3 years old at the time—raising them as his own with unwavering devotion.

For Leonard, "family" was never defined by conventional labels. While he raised three sons, his family grew at a rapid pace over the years as he adopted new loved ones into his heart. His sons' friends naturally became like his own children. When grandchildren arrived, their friends became his grandchildren, too, followed in time by their children, giving him extra great-grandchildren. To Leonard, blood didn’t make a family—love does, and he embraced every single person who came into his circle with the same fatherly and grandfatherly warmth.

Leonard held a deep, lifelong bond with his many nieces and nephews, who meant the world to him. Throughout their lives, he was always right there with them—sharing jokes, passing along wisdom and life lessons, or heading out into the outdoors to hunt and fish. He maintained those cherished relationships into their adulthood, remaining immensely proud of who they became and everything they accomplished.

His pride in his four grandchildren was equally profound. In September 1989, he was delighted to welcome his very first grandchild, Michael Koros, born to his youngest son, Jon. Over the next eleven years, Jon welcomed two more children, Alexandria and Camden, while his son Caesar brought a daughter into the world, Nicole.

When Nicole was just three years old, Leonard and Dorothy stepped up to take a hands-on role raising her alongside Caesar. Following Caesar's sudden passing in 2011, they stepped in full-time without a second thought. Leonard and Nicole formed an extraordinarily close bond filled with laughter, adventure, and sweet everyday moments—from road trips and afternoon treats at Target to frequently matching their outfits. That deep, unbreakable bond remained a true cornerstone of his life.

A proud and hardworking man, Leonard served as a Facilities Maintenance staff member for Jefferson County Public Schools for over 30 years. He took immense pride in keeping the schools running smoothly—and always loved to joke about working in the very same district his three sons attended, often debating with a smile whether that close proximity was a "good" or "bad" thing for everyone involved. When his boys were young, Leonard was fully devoted to their worlds, serving as their Boy Scout Troop Leader and spending weekends watching their soccer practices, loving every single moment of it.

Leonard was also deeply woven into his community. He was a long-standing member of the Arvada Presbyterian Church for over 30 years, serving as a Deacon for three years and spending many years in the Mariners group. He was equally active in the Enterprise Grange as a member for over 30 years, serving as an officer, and always enjoyed community activities like horseshoes, bowling, and playing billiards.

The outdoors was always a vital part of Leonard's spirit. Camping, hunting, and fishing were central to his life and inspired many of his passions, including rockhounding and crafting. While he was a skilled fisherman, he was always quick to humbly admit that he could easily be

outfished not only by Dorothy, but by his great-granddaughter, Sofia. A relentless tinkerer, he was happiest when working on a project, hand-carving custom walking sticks and canes from sturdy branches he found on camping trips. He lovingly carved countless canes for Dorothy, never complaining when she inevitably left one behind in a grocery cart—he’d simply find another branch and start carving a new one.

Throughout the years, a distinct part of Leonard’s heart was always shaped like a four-legged friend. It began at six years old when his family welcomed Pistol, a childhood companion he never forgot. Years later, he was easily convinced to bring home two puppies for his granddaughter Nicole: Lulu, who stayed faithfully by his side for her entire 15 years, and Piper, who became his constant lap companion—so fiercely loyal that she stayed on his lap through his final moments, giving him the extra love and comfort he needed. Following Lulu's passing, Nicole surprised the house with yet another puppy—Opal, a spirited Italian Greyhound who quickly claimed her own spot next to Piper on Leonard’s lap, bringing high energy and much-needed smiles to his face while he fought his toughest battles in hospice. Leonard loved his dogs deeply, and they loved him right back.

Leonard is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Dorothy Dannels; his sons, Paul Dannels, and Jon Dannels (Cindy Nielson); his sisters, Wilma and Alameda; his four cherished grandchildren, Michael Koros (Shannon), Alexandria Dannels, Nicole Dannels, and Camden Dannels; his five great-grandchildren, Sofia Cordero, Grayson Dannels, Phoenix Cordero, Riley Koros, and Declan Koros; and a vast, vibrant family of extended grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and dear friends whom he loved as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Chester Dannels, and his beloved son, Caesar Lee Dannels.

Leonard’s life was a testament to the fact that a full heart, a quick joke, an open mind, and unconditional love can build a home for anyone. He will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and endlessly loved.

Celebration of Life

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Leonard's life on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at 10:00AM. The service and reception will be held at the Community of Grace Presbyterian Church, 7755 Vance Dr, Arvada, CO 80003.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies.