Knoxville, Tennessee - Daniel J. DiGenova, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at the age of 83.

Danny was born April 22, 1942, in Logansport, Indiana, to loving mother, Helen Bobenmoyer DiGenova. He was a graduate of Logansport High School, and eventually went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ball State. He taught high school in Frankfort, Indiana for some time before he eventually moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. He opened a restaurant using his mother's homemade recipes, DiGenova's Pizza, which was a successful 20-year family business.

Dan was a proud, decorated Army Veteran. He was a member of the 281st Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam, the first US Army Special Operations Helicopter Company. Dan was a Crew Chief with the Wolf Pack platoon, #172 CE. Dan earned the following Vietnam Service Medals: Purple Heart; Air Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device (1960); Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.

He was a UT VOLS fan whose blood ran orange. He enjoyed cooking, fishing and being on the lake or the ocean with his friends and family. Dan was known for his big heart and generous nature.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life for 42 years, Dana Deaton DiGenova, his mother, Helen; brother, Aaron; and son, Darin Evans.

Survivors include daughter, Crystal DiGenova (John Ashley Blake); brother, Null DiGenova; sister, Mona Lee Rance; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Glenda "Tootsie" and Ross Cagle; as well as nieces, nephews and many friends, including lifelong very best buds, Ron and Pat Shoemaker, Larry and Sandy Schroder, J.T. and Anna Haley, Jim and Joann Dougherty and Dick Gray.

Dan chose not to have an organized funeral or celebration of life, due to not wanting his friends or loved ones to have to travel long distances. He requested that his friends and loved ones think of him and celebrate his life by having a big Italian meal with good memories and laughs.

Dan did like to support Veteran's causes and if you feel inclined, you may donate in his honor to any veterans' organization of your choice.

Dan requested to be cremated. His ashes, along with his wife Dana's ashes, will be interred at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, located at 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN 37221.

The family would like to thank VA for taking such great care of him. We would also like to thank those special caregivers who treated Dan like family at West Meade Place and The Lodge in Nashville, Tennessee. You know who you are.

Please visit Dan's online Veterans Legacy Memorial page at www.vlm.cem.va.gov.