Dan Banus

I will always remember Dan Banus as the guy who bragged he never paid taxes because the government did not know he existed. He never filed a tax return. Every time I called him (he was our shop bro electrician) and dialed 310 379 1099 I just smiled ear to ear. The Gov. could not find him, but someone randomly gave him a number ending in 1099.

He was a character, one of those guys they broke the mold on. I think the best Banus story I can think of (and there are many) was a day he was doing some overhead light work in our Hermosa store. Now, you have to remember that this was a cat that was always kidding and messing with all of our employees. He could dish it out and he got it back. Kind of like that uncle that is always messing and wrestling with your kids.

Kris Buckner was one of those kids at the shop, and he learned a lesson when he came to work, found Dan on the ladder and decided it was fun time. Problem was, Dan had a very complex personality, one that Kris badly miss read that day.

Kris saw Dan on the ladder, concentrating on that ballast, and proceeded to pants him. Dan smiled, retreated from the ladder, and like a good spirited uncle went to Kris for a hug. The disguised hug quickly turned into a take down, with Kris quickly losing his pants, shirt, shoes and anything that did not render him completely naked.

There were more than a few customers and employees in the store. What started as an amusing joust between wrestlers soon caught more than a few gasps as Kris's screams and kicking (he was beginning to imagine his fate) filled the store with angst. All watched as Dan picked a kicking Kris up, put him over his shoulder, and proceeded to deliver him buck naked to the middle of Pier Ave. where he planted him like he was planting the flag on the moon (no pun intended).

Kris was and is an exceptional individual, and went on to found the premier private detective agency specializing in counterfeit goods. His firm represents most of the surf industry heavies.

Dan took his life several years later. He had his issues, and will be sorely missed.
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