Thomas "Pizza Tom" John Falencik of Sioux Falls, SD passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 16, 2014 while visiting his daughter, aged 78 years.

Tom was born February 11, 1936 on the shores of Lake Superior in Ashland, WI, the son of John and Edna (Murphy) Falencik. He was a graduate of DePadua High School where he captained both the football and basketball teams, was presented the Matternich Trophy for outstanding student athlete and was Homecoming King. He attended Northland College for a year then joined the Army as a Combat Engineer, stationed in Berlin, to help support his widowed mother and his younger siblings still living at home. After his discharge he returned to Ashland where he married his high school girlfriend, Patricia Ogle.

He was employed by Marathon-American Can Paper Company for 15 years before he and his wife, with an entrepreneurial spirit, took a leap of faith and started a new journey in the restaurant industry in South Dakota. An avid Sportsman, he enjoyed fishing, large game and especially pheasant hunting throughout his life. After a divorce he spent many years traveling between and living in Arizona, Colorado and South Dakota. He found great pleasure in helping people and easily made new friends wherever he went. Never short of word, those who knew him best would agree he possessed a remarkable skill of walking a fine line between truth and fiction when sharing his stories.

He is survived by his children; Julie (Carlos) Cornay of Yankton, SD, Tim Falencik of Minneapolis, MN, Patrick Falencik of Winner, SD and Joy Falencik of Sioux Falls, SD. grandsons; Tanner (Lauren) Cornay of Sioux Falls, Jordan (Melissa) Cornay of Omaha, Will Cornay of Vermillion; great-grand-daughter, Kate Cornay and sisters; Marge (George) Hunt of Ashland, WI and Carmen (Bill) Danker of Oceanside, CA as well as nieces, nephews, many friends and loyal companion, his yellow Lab Duchess..

He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers John "Jack" and Anthony "Pete" Falencik.

Tom is inurned at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.