Edward Dannan

1946 - 2013

Honorable Judge Roland Edward "Ed" Dannan (Retired)

October 8, 1946

October 17, 2013

Ed Passed away at home on October 17, 2013 after a valiant fight from complications of cholangiocarcinoma surgery which was performed at UCSF on August 22, 2013. He was hospitalized at UCSF until October 15, 2013 and heartbreakingly knowing he wasn't going to recover, his wish was to come home which was accomplished. Family was able to spend this precious time with him. During the time in the hospital in his usual manner, he captured everyone's hearts with his humor and intelligence. When he left the hospital by ambulance to come home, tears were flowing from all the medical staff, including a few of the doctors and nurse practitioners involved in his care during his long hospitalization.

Ed was born October 8, 1946 in Rochester, NY to Constance Arlone and Roland Eugene Dannan. In 1952 his mother and brothers headed west to make their home in Henderson Nevada. Ed attended the local grammar and junior high schools before graduating from Basic High School in 1964. In high school he was active in several organizations including his favorite, the Spanish Club. After a year of soul searching he headed north to the University of Nevada Reno, graduating in 1969 with a BA in Education.

He taught Spanish at Proctor Hug High School from 1970 to 1973 before embarking on a new career in law. Ed attended McGeorge School of Law (University of the Pacific) in Sacramento, California from 1973 to 1976. After passing the bar in 1976 he returned to Nevada to work as a bill drafter in the Legislative Counsel Bureau. Many of the bills he wrote still bear his name.

In 1978 he moved to the Washoe County District Attorney's Office as Chief Deputy District attorney where he worked until 1991. He then tried private practice but missed his work as a public servant. Ed ran successfully for a seat in the Reno Justice Court in 1992, where he continued to serve unopposed, consistently earning high peer reviews in the Washoe County Bar Ratings until retiring July 13, 2007.

After retirement he enjoyed traveling, taking trips to China, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, as well as multiple destinations across the US. He loved all music, from Arlo Guthrie to Frank Sinatra, Junior Brown to the Rolling stones. He was always either whistling or listening and was an arsenal of music knowledge and lyrics.

Among his many hobbies, his 1946 Chevy Fleetline was his pride and joy. He was forever modifying, updating and most of all enjoying it; he took great joy in receiving a "thumbs-up" from other enthusiasts. Always a big kid at heart, Ed enjoyed his toys such as his three pinball machines and classic video games.

Ed said his greatest accomplishments were his children, Katie and Kelly.

Ed is survived by his loving wife Shirley whose "command was always his wish", his daughters Katie Dannan Stout (Josh) and Kelly Dannan, his brother Gene Dannan (Naomi) and sister Johanna Jensen (David), his stepson Christopher King and stepdaughter Holly Stewart (Jason), mother-in-law Sharon Oxborrow, and his nephews Matt Dannan (Cynthia) and Josh Dannan.

This is just a tiny window looking into the life he led and the amazing, kind-hearted, funny, witty, respected person he was. Words cannot express how much Ed will be missed. He truly took a part of our hearts with him when he left us.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 at 1:00 pm at "The Grove" 95 Foothill Road, Reno. Formal attire strictly prohibited!! Please dress casually and join us in sharing stories, laughter and fond memories.

In lieu of flowers family is requesting donations to Care Chest of Northern Nevada 7910 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89506.