SHEA DANA R

CW2 Dana R. Shea was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 09/20/2024 at the age of 76.9 from Stroke
Thousand Oaks, CA
Flight Class 68-7
Date of Birth 11/07/1947
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with B/158 AVN 101 ABN in 69-70
Call sign in Vietnam LANCER 29
This information was provided by Wife Carolyn/Walt Wise

More detail on this person: Dan Shea Obituary- 11.13.24 Dana Robert Shea, the youngest of three boys, was born on November 7, 1947 in Evanston, Illinois to Maggie and Earl Shea. Dan moved to California in 1964 and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1965. In 1968, he joined the Army and began his illustrious career as a helicopter pilot, flying for the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. After a year in Vietnam, Dan flew home to Santa Barbara and married Carolyn Connolly three days later. After honorably discharging from the Army in 1970, Dan attended college. In 1972, he took a job as a bush pilot flying helicopters in Alaska. In 1975, while living in Anchorage, Dan and Carolyn welcomed their only child Jeff (named after Dan's late brother). In 1977, they moved to Santa Paula, California, and Dan began working as a helicopter pilot for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. He flew for VCSO for 27 years before retiring as the Chief Pilot in 2004. After retiring, Dan flew helicopters in Tasmania, Australia, and part-time for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, before fully retiring in 2008. Dan traveled the world with Carolyn and friends, played golf badly, and was an active participant in his grandchildren's lives. He passed away, surrounded by friends and family on September 20, 2024. Dan is survived by his wife Carolyn; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Jamie; his grandchildren, Eric and Ally; and his older brother, Tim Shea. Dan Shea WALTER WISE S un, Sep 22, 2024 at 8:03 AM To: "mikelaw1943@gmail.com" Mike: Dana R. Shea was a Life member of the VHPA. He was my Chief Pilot in Alaska for Sea Airmotive He also flew for the Ventura County sheriff's department for over 25 years. I will forward his obit to you when I get one. Walt > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Dan > To: wwise364@comcast.net > Date: 09/21/2024 5:38 PM MDT > Subject: Dan Shea This is Carolyn Shea. Dan passed away early morning yesterday, September 20. About a week ago he had another stroke - a large brain bleed that was not survivable. Family was able to spend time with him until he was cleared for takeoff and left us. Thanks for your insight about the VA over the years. Carolyn

This information was last updated 11/27/2024

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Date posted on this site: 07/12/2025