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Arthur Kess Obituary
July 5, 1943
March 11, 2014
Art Kess transitioned to paradise on March 11, 2014. He was born into life on July 5, 1943 in Hartford, Conn.
Art was raised and educated in Reno where he graduated from Reno High School in 1961. He received his degrees in history and secondary education from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1965.
During his college years Art was president of the national service organizations Sagers and Blue Key. He was a leader in the Sigma Nu fraternity and participated in the ROTC program. He was active in student government all four years and was one of the first male cheerleaders in the university athletic department. For the duration of his life, Art remained one of the proudest and loudest Nevada Wolf Pack Boosters.
After graduation, Art taught a partial year at the original Billinghurst Middle School before being called to active duty in the US Army for a tour in Vietnam during 1965-66 and was honorably discharged as a Captain.
Art began his distinguished professional career with New York Life Insurance Company on May 13, 1968 and closed his office 45 years later in March 2013.
He qualified for New York Life's highest achievement council for numerous years and he was a Life and Qualifying Member of the "Million Dollar Round Table." The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors nominated him for national recognition for his outstanding service.
During his professional career, community service remained a core value. Art was President of C*A*R*E* Chest of Sierra Nevada, Board Chairperson of the American Cancer Society, Co-founder of Executive Association of Reno (EAR), and Founding Director of the Safe Ride Program. He served on the Board of Directors of the Heart Association, the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Self Help Foundation, as well as the Kairos and Ridge House prison ministries.
Art was an active member at St. Paul's, First, and South Reno United Methodist Churches.
Art was committed to physical fitness throughout his life. He played organized league softball and golfed well into his last years. Art finished three Silver State Marathons in 1978-80 with 3 hours and 59 minutes his best time.
Without hesitation, Art would tell anyone that his greatest accomplishment in life was his marriage of 26 years to his wife Marcella and the wonderful family they raised together. He is survived by his beloved wife Marcella, his five children Kristy Cowen, Kevin Kess and spouse Kristin, Katie Coombs and spouse Chris, Tiffany Moiola, and Teresa Moiola and fiance Chris Malloy in addition to 10 grandchildren, Katelyn Cowen, Cameron Cowen, Ashley Kess, Jonathan Kess, Drew DiLillo, Mackenzie DiLillo, Hannah DiLillo, Austin Coombs, Cameron Coombs, and Abby Coombs.
Art and Marcella wish to thank Dr. Craig Conrath, Dr. Hilari Fleming, Dr. Jaime Shuff and their staffs, as well as St. Mary's Hospice for the excellent medical care received during his four year journey with cancer.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to C*A*R*E* Chest of Sierra Nevada at 7910 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89506.
A celebration of life service will be held at South Reno United Methodist Church located at 200 DeSpain Lane on Thursday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception at The Grove located at 95 Foothill Road.
To honor Art's life, continue his legacy of random acts of kindness.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Kess
david kess
August 11, 2022
Art was a great person in the family and was always amazing, my grandmother who lived at 20 Winchester Street in Brookline managed to contact Art in the 1980s.
A very nice and honest person... never did know he was a male cheerleader. that is intersting data...
see you on the other side
GOD BLESS
Christine Field
April 13, 2014
Dear Marcella and family,
My deepest sympathy to you. Art was such a loving, caring human being. I will miss Art greatly. My heart is warmed when I think that Art and Dan are together. My love to you Marcella! Christine (Sam)
Alison Warburton Degn
April 8, 2014
My deepest sympathy to Art's wonderful family. Art was my 7th grade homeroom teacher at Billinghurst Jr. High. He took me under his wing as I was a very shy, new immigrant from Australia. He continued as my insurance agent and financial mentor for the past 38 years. He truly changed my life for the better. I know God will continue to bless you as He wraps His arms around you during this time.
Nancy Wong
April 3, 2014
Art and I were bathtub buddies in New Orleans . . . we were on the First United Methodist Church mission team doing Katrina restoration. Neither of us knew much about construction, but we both had great enthusiasm when our team was assigned finishing the bathroom of a great-grandmother. A previous team did not do a good job putting in the tile, so Art and I spent 4 days together standing in the bathtub digging out the caulk and redoing the tile walls.
The following year we were back in New Orleans, learning how to put in laminate flooring.
Jay and I miss Art . . . he was always positive, gregarious, and generous in all he did.
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March 22, 2014
Kristy, Kevin, Katie and family...to our best neighbors in this time of need. We will always remember our fun times of growing up next to each other. Your dad always had a big smile that would light up a room, and a kind heart. He will be deeply missed and remembered by so many. Now your father and our father will always be lovingly watching over us all and laughing with their Planet of the Apes mask! Love to you all...
~ The Rosenthal Family
Harvey Whittemore
March 20, 2014
What a tremendous and loving man! We all know what a kind and respectful man he was because of the way he treated his family and friends. He lived his faith by serving others; we especially enjoyed our time at church with Art when we were younger.
My parents, my brothers and sisters, and my children all adored him and his special way of checking up on them. How many smiles did he bring on our faces when we listened to his mobile phone message: "Go Pack".
My father once said that one of the best things he ever did was to counsel Art into going into the insurance business. How right he was. Art's smile and positive attitude was infectious; not many people could say "No" to his gentle but tenacious personality.
The only thing we can say is "We all loved and adored you." All our love to the family. The Whittemores
Jim Wadhams
March 19, 2014
My deepest sympathies to Art's family. He was a good friend and trusted advisor to me for over 40 years. I will miss him.
Robert & Sonja Petterson
March 19, 2014
We are thankful to have known, and played softball, with Art and grateful for his kind and loving heart!
Den Stubblefield
Den Stubblefield
March 18, 2014
Approximately 3 weeks ago I spoke with Art about the past number of years we have known each other, which has been 50 years. Even with his health condition he was a positive person. that was just Art. It has been a joy to have known him for all these years and may God bless you and the entire family during this difficult time.
Bob Barnet
March 17, 2014
Art . . .I will miss him and his warm presence. For more than the forty years that I knew him he was always there . . always up beat.
Joe Eberle
March 17, 2014
Art was a brother and long time friend. He will be missed.
March 17, 2014
Art was a brother and close friend, he will be missed.
Joe Eberle
Mary Gregory
March 17, 2014
Kevin and Kristy, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers. - Mary Pastrell Gregory
Roger Reynolds
March 16, 2014
Art and I have been friends for more than 50 years, his passing is a difficult transition for all who loved and knew him. We had a lunch tradition in Reno when ever I was there and I will continue that as long as I am able. I will honor his place on the planet and never forget him. He was special. Really!
Roger
Lisa Jansen
March 16, 2014
Art was an amazing man and an inspiration to everyone that met him. We met when I was young and he was a great influence on me as I finished high school and graduated from college. His passion for life, his compassion for others, his enthusiasm and his strength are some of the things I will remember most about him. He was a great mentor and role model for so many of us. He made the world a better place.
Barbara Cavanaugh
March 16, 2014
I last saw Art at our Reno High class reunion nearly 3 years ago. He had again rallied from his illness to, as always, be a key player at the reunion---he squeezed years from a terminal illness with his determination, will to live and love of family and friends-----My condolences to his family and friends who will indeed miss him
Jerry Scattini
March 16, 2014
Art's enthusiasm was unparalleled in this world. He had that rare ability to lift your spirits when things weren't going all that well. I am grateful for our friendship.
Jerry Scattini
robert salerno
March 15, 2014
Art you are the one I always looked up to in the old neighborhood you are with the angels now. Rest in peace. Bob Salerno
Gene Le Blanc
March 15, 2014
I will miss Art. Gene Le Blanc
Roy Rosenthal
March 15, 2014
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Bruce Bannister
March 15, 2014
What more can be said. Truly a loss to his family, friends, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Art. He was always helpul,upbeat, and willing to give his all for the good of others. He was an inspiration to me at a troubled time in my life. I will remember him fondly and smile when I think of him. Bruce Bannister
March 14, 2014
I hadn't seen Art in many years, as I moved from Reno years ago. Yet I'd heard many wonderful accolades about Art from our mutual friends, such as Dee Martenson (DeLois Curl).
We all expected Art to do well professionally and were not surprised at how successful and rewarding his personal life was as well.
Art was so bright, so full of energy, so talented. Although we lost touch when I went away to college, I want his family to know that I so valued his friendship, his leadership in mutual scholarship endeavors and his kindness and enthusiasm for life in its entirety.
I am so glad I knew Art -- God bless his family.
Patricia Cobb
Lori Marshfield
March 14, 2014
I was very blessed to have known Art. He had a joy for life and all it offered. I will miss him very much. The lord has a new right hand man to help up in heaven.
Marcella and family you are in my prayers. God Bless You All.
Mike and Debbie Neville
March 14, 2014
Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. Art and the entire family are in our prayers.
Lin (Linda) Carsten
March 14, 2014
My heartfelt condolences on your loss. My thoughts are with you and the family. Art was a lot of things to many people and will be missed tremendously. I will miss that sweet smile and warm heart.........Please know I am thinking of you in your time of loss. Marcella, you have my sincere sympathy.
Doug Neddenriep
March 14, 2014
Art, you have always been a wonderful inspiration and encouragement to me. Thank you for being such an important part of my life.
March 14, 2014
My sincere condolences to the family. In this time of sorrow please find comfort in the words found at Psalms 61:2-4 where it says: Do pay attention to my prayer, when my heart is in despair, lead me onto a rock that is higher than I am. For you are my refuge, a strong tower that protects me. I will be a guest in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
michael perry
March 14, 2014
Art was an honorable and compassionate man...his presence will be missed.
Todd & Adelina Kozlowski
March 14, 2014
Art will always be my friend and my neighbor. He is now in God's heavenly kingdom being rewarded for the life he lead. I always enjoyed visiting with Art, as he was a beacon of light. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the love of his life Marcella and family.
The Cardozo and Aiello families
March 14, 2014
We were so sorry to hear of Art's passing. He was such a loving and compassionate man. Even when his own health was tenuous, he found time to call our aunt, Nellie Beasley, to check on her after her husband passed. We know it was the highlight of her day. We will keep your family in our prayers and know that heaven has gained an angel but we have lost ours .
BG
March 14, 2014
Art always had a smile and a ear to listen. He never took credit and didn't like to hear of his successes in life.
Al and Theresa Feleciano
March 14, 2014
Our love and prayers are with all of your family during this very sad time.
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