Daniel J. Kantor Jr.

Daniel J. Kantor Jr., 72, of Julesburg, Colorado, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Sedgwick County Hospital in Julesburg.

Dan was born March 5, 1954, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Daniel J. and Lucille M. (Freeland) Kantor. The family moved from Omaha to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, then to Kimball, Nebraska, before settling in Julesburg in 1969. He graduated from Julesburg High School with the class of 1972 and went on to Western Nebraska Technical College in Sidney, earning a degree in carpentry.

Dan returned to Julesburg and worked in construction from 1974 until 1999, including time with Vaughn Hartwell, Tom Dolezal, and DIVO. On June 21, 1980, he married Mary E. Dolezal, and the couple made their home in Julesburg. In 1988, Dan and his folks opened a greenhouse, which the family operated for a number of years before relocating it downtown, when Dan and Mary took over exclusively, operating Dan's Greenhouse until selling the business in 2021.

Dan had a heart of gold and was a straightforward man who meant what he said. He followed his boys' athletic endeavors practically 12 months out of the year while they were growing up, and for 30 years, he served on the chain gang at Julesburg football games. He loved his dogs and was deeply attached to them.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel J. Kantor Sr. and Lucille M. Kantor, and by his parents-in-law, Stanly and Gwendolyn Dolezal.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Kantor of Julesburg; four sons, Nicolas and his wife, Sarah, of Omaha, Nebraska, Matthew and his wife, Miranda, of Windsor, Colorado, Eric and his wife, Bridget, of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Trevor of Utah; 10 grandchildren, Alyvia, Jackson, William and Hannah Kantor, Taylor (Jon) Lizak, Reece and Jordyn Bandemer, and Landon, Miles and Claire Kantor; 1 great-grandson, Jonny Lizak; and a brother, Douglas P. Kantor and his wife, Paula, of Julesburg; brothers-in-law, Mike Dolezal (Kathy) of Venango Nebraska, Tom Dolezal (Janice) of Brighton Colorado, John Dolezal (Jae) of Grant Nebraska, Dan Dolezal (Nicki) of Lexington Nebraska, Pat Dolezal (Nicole) of Yuma Colorado along with many other relatives and friends.

Services will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the SCOR Community Center in Julesburg, with AJ Kantor officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Julesburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sedgwick County Health Center in Julesburg, CO, or Adopt-A-Dog Animal Rescue of Chappell, NE, in Dan's memory.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.