Obituary of Christopher Joseph Falater

Christopher J. Falater, age 65, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024. He was born November 13, 1958 in Wayne Michigan and was raised in Chicago Illinois.  Chris would want everyone to enjoy life. He was a private person but no one was a stranger to him. Only those close to him knew the real man.  He was frugal, organized and practical. He loved music, Chicago Cubs and Bears, Evel Kneivel, the outdoors, camping, fishing, gardening and riding his motorcycles, Indians and his prize possession, he built his basket case 1966 Electra Glide Harley on his own.  He had odd jobs when he was younger, paper route, painting homes, airplanes, motorcycles and cars.  He went back to college later in life and was a dedicated student.  He loved to learn.  He graduated Summa Cum Laude (top 1 to 5% in his class) from Northern IL University with a Mechanical Engineer degree and a math minor in August, 1991.  He worked hard in the summers doing paint and body work on vehicles/motorcycles and paid his own way through school.  He even sold his Indian motorcycle to help pay for his college when he first wanted to go back to school.

 

 After college he started working at Mascal Electric, DeKalb, IL.  He learned a lot about electrical engineering.  Then he got an opportunity to work for Johnson Controls, Moline IL as a Project Manager.  When he was laid off from there his former boss hired him at TempCo Systems in Minneapolis.  After 6 years of cold/snowy weather in Minnesota, Chris became semi retired and moved to Ormond Beach, FL.  He loved life riding his motorcycle, gardening, fixing up the house, inventing, going to Bike Week and Biketoberfest every year.  He even went back to work a few years as a Design Engineer for Metecno, Deland FL.  The company was bought out by an Ireland company so Chris officially retired.  After 10 years of Florida and hurricanes, him and his wife downsized and moved to Fort Worth.  His health slowly started deteriorating with Spinal Stenosis and eventually Esophagal Cancer.  He was an inventor, designer, handyman, etc.  He even repaired a few old clocks and fixed an old 1900 cast iron fan, which turned out to be his last project before his brain stopped working properly.  We did get another three weeks of his wisdom, humor and great stories that we were blessed to hear after a hospital stay.  Family/friends visited and made his last three weeks on earth very special.

 

Chris is preceded in death by his father, Frederick L Falater, his mother, Lois R. Wilcek, two of his favorite cats – Sparky and Fuzz.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy and cat Furz, his brothers Scott Falater, Dan Falater and Tom (Oksana) Falater, his sister Laura Healy.  His stepdad Frank Wilcek and step mom Carlyn Falater.  His nieces and nephews – Megan and Michael (Melanie) Falater, Jeff Falater and Amy (Nikita) Andreichenko, Brendan Healy, Tim Healy, Sean Healy and Genevieve Healy, and Dr. Poppy (Will) Addison, John (Brooke) Sydow, Kyle (Jenny) Sydow and Allie Sydow.  Great nieces and great nephew – Amelia, Brooklyn, Grace & Sophia Falater, Clara, Summer, Evie, Shaylee and Raymond Sydow.  He wished he lived closer to all.

 

Chris requested no service but to have a BBQ with family/friends later.  He will be cremated and ashes hopefully spread at his favorite fishing hole in Illinois. Donations may be made to American Cancer Society, Texas Oncology or Community Hospice. Wife requests no flowers/plants/food.  Just enjoy life with your family and stay in touch.