John Demakas

Dr. John James Demakas, of Spokane Valley, WA, passed away on February 20, 2023, surrounded by the warmth and love of his family. Born on May 8, 1946, to James and Thespina Demakas, he was raised in San Francisco, CA, and attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory high school before heading north to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane. He attended medical school at Creighton Univerisity in Omaha, NE, and completed his neurosurgical residency at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. During medical school, he joined the Navy and served multiple tours including positions as Fleet Surgeon, flight medical officer, staff surgeon, and Department Head of Neurological Surgery. While stationed in California he served as an associate clinical professor in the department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Diego. Upon leaving naval service he relocated to Spokane and took up a private practice.

A practicing physician for more than 50 years, he served in many capacities including membership in multiple neurological societies and boards. He held various chairmanships including Medical Director, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Surgery. He was instrumental in bringing the first radiosurgery/therapy unit to Spokane in 1996 following that with the more precise Gamma Knife in 2002. John was an amazing man whose life extended far beyond his brilliance as a surgeon. A lover of athletics, he was a team physician for local high school and university teams as well as for the United States Boxing Team. His passions and talents were vast: music, art, cooking, wood turning, traveling, and the continual pursuit of knowledge filled his days - but his primary passion was for the betterment of others; this passion was limitless and we are all better people because of John. The gifts of love, wit, generosity, and compassion he gave to his family, friends, colleagues, and patients are eternal and will never be forgotten.

John is survived by his wife, Ann (née Byers), daughter Carrie (Dan), son Vince (Tammy), daughter Adriana (Paul), step-sons Tyler (Analee), Joe (Shelby), Ryan (Crissy), and 16 amazing grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, James (27), and his grandson, Micah (3).