Dannie Makris

Dannie  “aka Dan or Bing” Makris October 18, 1936 – April 22, 2020

He was a first generation Greek American born on October 18, 1936, in Salida, Colorado to Pete and Emma (Lucero) Makris, and joined his parents in heaven on April 22, 2020 after 17 months fighting Stage 4 Lung Cancer.

He graduated from Salida High School in 1955, received his B.A. in Industrial Arts & Physical Education from Adams State College in 1973 and his M.A. in Parks Management 1983.

On April 28, 1968, he was married to Sharon Loudenburg in Salida, Co.

His family is very proud of his accomplishments in life as a man of many hats.  After graduating from high school, he ran for the Bears, at the University of Northern Colorado for a year.   In 1958 he and his younger brother Teddy took up Kayaking and quickly becoming one of the top American kayakers.  During his competetive years he was drafted into the Army and served 2 years (1959-1961) playing football for the Army before being discharged.  He worked as a welder for the Climax Mining Co., while continuing to compete in kayaking. Some of his greatest accomplishments in kayaking was traveling to Europe to compete, going to the 1963 World Championships, being one of the first to kayak Browns Canyon with his younger brother and European friends, as well as the Fraser River in Vancouver B.C.   He and his brother Teddy were stuntmen kayakers for a Lassie series call Pink Snow filmed in Durango.  He was a Commodore for FIBARK.  He was a Deputy Sheriff for Chaffee County and then for Adams State College Campus Security while in school still having the teeth scars from a bite in the arm from a Kuwait Prince, and coached Cross Country and Track with Larry Vigil.  After graduation from Adams State he moved to Woodland Park where he was a teacher of Industrial Arts, PE, Drafting and Drivers Ed, and coach until he retired from teaching in 2000 and coaching his greatest love of track in 2018.  He was a member of the local Shriners, and a mentor to many of the students of Woodland Park High School.  After Retirement, he and Sharon have traveled to many parts of the world, cruised many of the oceans and had a safari in Southern Africa among their many adventures. 

He was an admired man of the community, and a very dedicated husband, father, teacher, friend and coach.  His students described him as someone ‘larger than life’, inspirational, fiery and someone who pushed them to be better, play harder and live a fuller life.  Christmas was his favorite time of the year.  With help from his family he created a Christmas wonderland for the community to enjoy with bright lights, candy canes blowups ranging from Winnie the Pooh, Santa Claus riding a pony, and a 7 dwarfs’ village

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, and survived by his Sister Agnes “Sissy” (Jon) Toews; wife Sharon; Son Todd (Jennie); Daughters Nikki and Kirsten; Grand Children, Cory, Cassie (Chris) Krance, and Carrie (Matt Hruska), Nephews Pete and Frank (and Families), and Niece Barbara.

A funeral service is schedule for 1:00pm on April 30 at Fairview Cemetery in Salida, CO. Due to the coronavirus pandemic only 10 family members are allowed to be at the grave sight ceremony.  Priest Dr. Michael Fay will officiate.  All other family and friends will have to remain in their cars on the side of the street.  Future plans to celebrate Dannie’s life and memory will be held in Woodland Park, CO once it is safe to congregate, and restrictions lifted.  If you are interested in attending, please email Nikki Makris at bamakris7@gmail.com

Arrangements were with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dannie Makris, please visit our floral store.