Dennis Arata, 73, of Denver, Colorado passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021. He was the son of the late Bert and Chiyoko Arata of Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from Peoria Central High School and attended Southern Illinois University for a short time; however, his principal interest in art led him to apply successfully to the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. Subsequently, he attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Dennis lived in many places across the United States, including New York City, eventually settling in Denver. He went to school to be trained as a welder and turned this skill into a full-time profession. One of his ambitions was to join the Peace Corps. He immersed himself in learning French and was eventually placed in Burundi, Africa. Being in the Peace Corps changed his life and gave him the opportunity to travel the world. He loved engaging in new cultures and being among the people.  After his two year assignment, he returned to the United States and worked as a welding instructor at a job corps center in Utah. He then became a recruiter for the Peace Corps where he gave presentations to various audiences and attended local fairs to enlist young people. These assignments further helped him to become a recruitment coordinator for the next five years. He then took the opportunity as an employee of the federal government to work in the Department of Labor as a Social Security Representative. His last position in the federal government before he retired was with Office of Federal Workers' Compensation.

Dennis' lifelong passion was fly-fishing, which he often combined with his love of travel, fishing in various countries.

He was loved by all those who came in contact with him. He lived as he wished and was admired for his ability for change course throughout his life.

Dennis leaves behind his three older sisters, Midori E Kruger of Athens, IL, Carol Arata Nichols of Thornton, CO, and Suzanne Arata (Lay) of Chicago, IL and their families.

His dear friends Leigh and Jeff Flanagin hosted a private celebration of his life in the beautiful setting of the Denver Botanic Gardens on July 18, 2021.