Dennis James Falk, 60, of Champaign, passed away Sunday (March 16, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital.

An open reception will be held at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014.

Dennis was born January 2, 1954 in Denver, Colo. to Maj. Warren P. Falk and Betty James Falk. He grew up in Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, England, Lubbock, Texas, Greenville, Miss., and settled in Mahomet, Ill. He graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School in 1972. He lived in Okinawa, Japan and worked for the Air Force Exchange. He graduated from Parkland College in 1980.

That same year, he was one of the first recipients of a kidney transplant at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, receiving the donation from his sister Lynn Armstrong. The kidney functioned for the next 33 years.

He married Kate Falk in 1981. In 1987 they had a son, Tyler James Falk.

For many years, Dennis ran his own lawn and landscaping business. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, and woodworking.

He is survived by his partner of 20 years Jacki Buckingham, of Champaign, Tyler James Falk (Lydette Assefa), of Washington D.C., sisters Diana Pinkston, of St. Joseph, Lynn Armstrong (Mike), of Urbana, and his brother, Larry Falk (Evelyn), of Xenia, Ohio, stepsons, Orion Buckingham of Champaign, and Max Buckingham of Urbana.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother-in-law.

He was a giving person, a mentor, and a role model to the people in his life.