Dana Popa

1951 - 2026

Dana Marc Popa, 74, of Omaha, Nebraska born November 12, 1951, passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2026.

Dana is survived by his son, Justin Scott Popa and Justin's daughters, Chloee Sue Popa, Alicia McManis and Natili McManis, his sisters, Nikki Popa Kuhns (Jim) of San Antonio, Texas and Kristine Popa Biodrowski (Jim) of Pahrump, Nevada. Dana was preceded in death by his parents Vral Popa (2001) and Dorothy Popa (2000) and brother Vral Jon Popa (2009).

Dana graduated from South High School in 1970 and later completed an Associates Degree at Metro Tech. Dana grew up in a loving family, a typical 'Boomer' in a neighborhood filled with families with lots of kids that all played outside until it got dark.

Dana loved board games as a child and was known for pestering his siblings to play them constantly. He always won. Dana played Chess throughout his lifetime and his friends used him to sharpen up their game, not expecting to win.

As a sophomore in high school Dana took up Karate and won a Midwest championship. He paid for his lessons by cleaning the Karate School after hours and because he was there late into the night, Mr. Haeng Ung Lee 'free sparred' with him every night. Essentially, he had private lessons because he couldn't afford to pay for them.

After high school Dana turned his focus to cars, yes, Muscle cars. Dana's 1969 GT350 Shelby was 'tricked out' with two Paxton Superchargers, 4 different Holley carburetors which he switched out depending on where he was driving it, Nitrous Oxide, Hohn Overdrive, and he flared the wheel wells for bigger tires and more traction. Many Shelby purists would never modify their cars thinking it would devalue the car but Dana had a saying 'stock is overrated'. He once went to Eppley Airfield to get high octane airplane fuel for the car. Dana is pictured with the car which has been restored per his vision and is now owned by a family member, wearing a Carroll Shelby Stetson.

Dana was kind to everyone and could be counted on to do the tough jobs. In 2000, Dana quit his job with the City of Omaha and moved to Las Vegas to be with his father after his mothers passing. While in Vegas Dana worked in the casinos emptying cash out of the old fashioned 'one armed bandits'. After his father passed, Dana returned to Omaha and more recently was the primary caregiver for an elderly aunt.

Dana was strong, funny, witty and generous to a fault. He was much loved by all who knew him and will be missed.

A celebration of Dana's life will follow at a later date.