Alex Spanos, long-time owner of shippers, dies at age 95

Alex Spanos, long-time owner of the San Diego Chargers, died on Tuesday, his family said. He was 95 years old.

The Spanos team purchased and operated a family business for decades and moved to Los Angeles in 2017 under the direction of his son, Dean Spanos.

"From humble beginnings to becoming the largest builder of flats in the country and the owner of an NFL franchise, Alex has proven that dreams come true," according to the family's statement.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week, the family announced.

Spanos borrowed less than $ 1,000 in the early 1950s to buy a used food truck. The truck was used to sell meals to migrant farm workers in the Central Valley, according to his biography on the Chargers website.

His autobiography, "Sharing Wealth: My Story," describes his early ventures.

Spanos acquired a stake in the Chargers in 1980 and the direct acquisition of the team in 1984. Ten years later, he put his son Dean in charge and retired.

In fact, he built the A.G. Spanos organization and the San Diego
Chargers as family operations.

"His uncompromising pursuit of success – based on tenacity, resilience and hard work – has left an indelible mark on the team," the Los Angeles Chargers said in a statement.

In 2008, Spanos announced that he was suffering from dementia by publishing a letter in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The same year, the President of Greece awarded him the Medal of the Commander of the Order of Honor.

He and his wife, Faye, met when Spanos was posted to the US Air Force in Tarpon Springs, Florida. They had been married for 77 years.

He had four children, Dean, Dea Spanos Berberian, Alexis Spanos Ruhl and Michael, as well as 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent on behalf of Alex Spanos to the following associations: American Legion – Karl Ross Post No. 16, 2020 Plymouth Road, Stockton, CA 95204; Stockton Scholars Endowment Fund of the University of the Pacific at the University of the Pacific, for the attention of Stockton University / Stock Market Development, Endowment Fund, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211; The Discovery ChalleNGe Academy, 2922 Transworld Drive, Stockton, CA 95206; or YMCA of San Joaquin County, 2105 West March Lane, Suite 1, Stockton, CA 95207.