Samuel Ray Dennis
Celebration of Life services for Samuel Ray Dennis, 33, of Champaign, will be at  11 a.m., Monday, March 7, 2011, at Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, 201 N. Elm, Champaign.
Inurnment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign.
Visitation will be private.
Mr. Dennis passed away at 3:24 a.m., Thursday, March 3, 2011, at Carle Hospital, Urbana.
He was born October 13, 1977, in Champaign, the son of Jack Dennis and Jacquelyn Woods. He married Brandi Woodward on October 1, 2005, at Botanical Gardens, Lake of the Woods, Mahomet. He met Brandi Woodward at the Hydrowash on Lincoln Avenue in Charleston when they were 18, and that was it. She survives.
Also surviving are a son, Xander Rayce Dennis, Champaign; his mother and step-father, Brian B. and Jacquelyn Kahn, Champaign; his father, and two sisters, Kris Beatty, of Jackson, Miss., and Rachel Kahn, of New Orleans, La.
He graduated from Centennial High School, Champaign, and the ITT Technical Institute, Indianapolis.
Mr. Dennis was the owner of Dennis Heating and Air Conditioning in Champaign. He was a member of the Illinois Street Racers Association and Chitown Racing.
He enjoyed street racing, radio controlled cars, and comedy. He was a Bears fan.
Sam’s sense of humor was one of a kind, and he loved to make people laugh. He was always the life of the party. He was an amazing husband and father and will be missed by all.
Memorial contributions may be made to a college education fund created for his son at the U of I Employees Credit Union, 2201 S. First St., Champaign, IL 61820 (mailing address: P.O. Box 500, Champaign, IL 61824-0500).
Condolences to the family may be offered online at www.HeathandVaughn.com.
Condolences
To all of Sam’s family and friends I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I never had the pleasure of meeting Sam in person, but I still called him a friend. He shared his illness with us and often brought me to tears with his words. He will be missed. Please take comfort in knowing Sam touched many peoples lives and made us all better people.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Brandi and Xander.
Karen
SaltLifeGirl
God Bless you and may the Lord keep you in Heaven. To Sam’s family, So sorry for your loss, God Bless.
Andy
Dear Jacque,
I am so sorry to hear that your son, Sam Dennis, has died. In such a hard moment, I hope that some comfort can come from knowing that you have touched the hearts of many. My thoughts are with you.
Warm regards
Gale
To Sam's family — we wish to extend our deepest sympathies. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, loves leaves a memory that no one can steal. I've worked with your mom for the past five years and feel through her we knew you.
You are truly loved Sam, and you truly will be missed.
Bless you!
Virginia and Randy Swisher
My sympathy to all of Sam Dennis’ family as they deal with his death. The death of a good son, brother, husband, and father is a loss for all the community. I didn’t know him in all these relationships, but I am thinking today especially of his mother, Jacque, who has given so much to so many others even while dealing with Sam's long illness.
Good wishes to all.
Cheris Kramarae
Eugene, OR
Dear Jacque, Brian, and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Please accept our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences. You have many happy memories which one day will overshadow the grief you feel today. You have a beautiful reminder of Sam’s life, the wonderful man and devoted father he was, each time you look into precious Xander’s face! There are no words we can say that will console you but, hopefully, these words may help.
"God’s Garden Must Be Beautiful"
God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come to Me.”
You didn't deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only picks the best.
—Author Unknown
With deepest sympathy,
Judy and George
Dear Jacque,
Marianne Ferber is in recovery for a broken leg and couldn't send you a message directly. She asked me to let you know that she is thinking of you in this difficult time.
Sent for Marianne Ferber, m-ferber@illinois.edu
Warm regards,
Gale
Dear Jackie,
Lori Newcomb mentioned to me the death of your son, whom I see was a great guy. I am so very sorry for your loss and I send my deep sympathy and love and support. It's been 20 years since we were students together and I have only good memories of you as a then young mother And brilliant student. In fact, truly, just this past week I revisited notes from Neelys class: your presentation on The Tragedy of Mariam. I shamelessly used your stuff in my class!
Oh, Jackie, I'm so sorry for you. And your son's wife and son.
Keeping you in my prayers,
With good thoughts
Ann
Sammy Ray named after his two Grandpas, I feel sure they were there to meet him and what a blessing that is. So sorry I can not be with my family at this time.
Love and prayers are being sent to all of you.
Aunt Linda and Uncle Kenny
Dear Brian, Jacque, Rachel and Xander:
I am so very sorry for your loss—Sam was a real warrio—he fought for so long—he is now at peace—I know there are no words that can be said at this horrible time in your lives to ease this pain you are feeling—just know that all the love you gave Sam during his life was the greatest gift you could have given him. Remember all the fond memories you all shared. You are all in my prayers and thoughts at this difficult time.
Sincerely
Nancy Iovinelli
Elmhurst College/Education Department
Elmhurst, IL
My deepest sympathies.
Steve Derry
We are so sorry for your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Kids 1st Staff, Students, and Board.
Nicole Plowick
Dear Brandi and Xander,
My sympathy to you and your family on your loss of Sam. I admire your strength that you exhibited and the love you shared through his illness. My thoughts are with you. Psalm 23.
Tiffany Paul
I went to school with Sam from Kenwood through Centennial. I haven’t seen him since graduation, but was deeply saddened to hear of his premature passing. He was always such a nice guy. I will remember playing drums with him in the band. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. I am sure he is now pain free and smiling down on you. God Bless.
Kristi (Nicholas) Mattox
Lincoln, NE
It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Samuel Dennis. Jacque and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. In the end, all we leave behind us is how we have touched the lives of others, and I know that Samuel will live on in you and that he will be remembered long and well.
Ann M Mester
Associate Dean, College of LAS
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology
University of Illinois
Our sympathy to all of Sam’s family. I am so very sorry for your loss. A Husband, Father, Son, Friend, and Businessman — a life was way too short for those left behind.
I thought Jack and Sam were both very professional HVAC technicians. Sam knew what he was talking about and how to do it. He was very friendly and helpful to us. He kept his guys going, and all the while they enjoyed their work, and they did it very well with his oversight. Sam pleased his clients. Champaign-Urbana has lost a valuable resource and a great guy.
David and Mary Biddle
Champaign, IL
Dear Jacque, Brian, Brandi, Rachael and Xander,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Jacque, I know it's been a while since we spoke last and I am truly, truly sorry to hear of Sam's passing. My mother and I both want to send along our blessings and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
May God Bless and comfort you at the difficult time. I'm sure Sam is with him and now looking out for all of you from above.
Aprel & Dixie Thomas
Dear Jacquelyn and Brian and Family:
I just ran across this posting and can’t believe what I am reading.
I am so sorry for your loss. I can still remember Sam as a little boy, and babysitting for Sam and Rachel. He was a handsome guy, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to see him grow up.
Are there any memorials set up on Sam’s behalf? If so, I would like to contribute.
In sympathy,
Lynne
Systems Librarian
Texas Tech University Libraries
Lubbock, TX
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