Deno G. Papas, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 31, 2015 at 85.  Born to Peter and Alexandra Papavasiliou on July 15, 1929, Dean was the youngest of six children. They lived in East St. Louis, Missouri, and Los Angeles, California.

Dean is survived by his children, Stephanie Papas, and Sandy (Jim) Feicht, as well as his grandchildren Christopher (Megan) and Jennifer.  He is also survived by sister Mary Aralis Tonge; brother-in-laws Nick Nickolin; William Booras; Warren Wendt; and sister-in-laws Faye Sibila, Sophia Orphan and Nickie Palombo, cousins and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wives Ann Orphan Papas and Mary Wallace Papas, sisters Ann Wendt, Angeline Booras, Helen Nickolin and brother Speero Papas.

Dean attended Washington University in St. Louis, UCLA and University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with honors and a civil engineering degree. During the Korean War, Dean worked at Northrop for five years as a field service engineer on the F-89 fighter jet. At 26, he was drafted into the Army Corps of Engineers and stationed in Greenland. Dean designed a portable runway and was recognized for his achievement.

While based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Dean met Ann Orphan at the Greek Orthodox Church. They were married in 1955 in Washington, D.C. They relocated to California where he co-owned a civil engineering company, Porvene. With Ann's passing in 1964 from leukemia, Dean married Mary Wallace in 1966 and resided in Anaheim, Villa Park, and Temecula, California. Dean and Mary retired in Temecula, California where they began growing avocados and built two dream homes. In 2004, Dean moved to San Clemente to be closer to family.

Dean was a devoted husband and father, and a dedicated servant to the Greek Orthodox Church as well as the Rotary Club. He was instrumental in the formation of three southern California churches - Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, Saint Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, and Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Juan Capistrano. During his later years, he was passionate about bringing medical care to the poor in Guatemala. Dean loved fishing, hunting, growing avocados, as well as watching his grandchildren play baseball and volleyball. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family and friends over a good meal.

The trisagion (memorial) service will take place on Friday, June 5, 2015 at 7:30 pm, at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10:00 am, also at Saint John Church. Burial will be Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 11:00 am at Inglewood Park Cemetery. May his memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Rotary Club of San Clemente or the Greek Orthodox Church of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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