Dean Kases Sr.

Kases, Sr., Dean

of Piraeus, Greece; Denver Colorado, and St. Louis for 57 years, fell asleep peacefully in the Lord on Tuesday, May 11th. He was the beloved husband of Irene Kases (Katsanevas) for 60 years, the father of Anthoula (Curt) Schuchardt, Maria (Phil) Schreiber, Laura (Tonis) Zafiropoulos, and Dean (Marilyn) Kases Jr., the brother of Michael, grandfather, godfather, uncle, and friend to many.

Surviving the Nazi occupation and civil war in the 1940s, Dean became a champion cyclist in his teenage years, racing for Panathinaikos, the most prestigious club in Greece and winning the most important races, including the velodrome of Rhodes. He left the country at 18 as a Merchant Marine but soon settled with relatives in Denver, where he took his first job in the restaurant business as a busboy. He rose to cook, to manager and eventually opened the first restaurant of his own in 1964 in St. Louis. In all, he launched 10 separate restaurants during his 50+ year career but was perhaps best known for his first and most lasting venture, the Best Steak House. In 2006, he received a Business of the Year award from the city of St Louis, honoring their commitment to Grand Center area.

He and Irene were devoted to each other and shared a special love providing a great role model for their families. Dean loved his homeland, but he was a proud American. He loved all things soccer, especially his favorite team, Manchester United. He helped form Assumption GOC's youth soccer Hellenic Athletic Organization and sat as one of its first presidents. He loved his Assumption Church family, serving on the Parish Council, sponsoring church events and volunteering at the festivals. Dean was a man who put family first and nothing made him happier than family dinners, sporting events, dance, or plays featuring his children or grandchildren, or just watching old movies beside Irene. We thank the Lord for 85 blessed years with him. The family would also like to thank the staff at Home Care Assistance for the care that allowed him to remain in his home in his final years.

Services: The visitation will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. (Trisagion at 7 p.m.) on Sunday, May 16th, 2021 at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood. Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17th at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town and Country, MO. He will be laid to rest at St Matthews Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. www.boppchapel.com