Kenneth Lawrence Bess

KENNETH LAWRENCE BESS – CEDAR CITY, UTAH Ken Bess passed away July 10, 2021, after a short battle with lung cancer. He was born October 13, 1948, in the Old Iron County Hospital in Cedar City, Utah. He was the eighth and last child born to Willard James and Cleo Alger Bess. Ken married Kathryn Christiansen on September 24,1966 in Cedar City. They had six children. They later divorced. Ken had another daughter, Katie Bess, later in life. Kenny as he was known growing up in Parowan, loved his family. After a tragic accident resulting in the death of his 3-year-old son Cody, Ken was never the same. This affected him for the rest of his life. Ken was raised in Parowan and loved living by the foothills, playing on the Gal Hill with his BB gun and sling shot, riding horses, and playing “Cowboys and Indians” with the Trimmer boys. He attended Parowan Elementary and Parowan High School. He lived in Parowan, Cedar City, Las Vegas, and Kanab. Ken was an expert auto painter with exceptional talent and was a perfectionist at all his work. He worked at Del Ray’s Autobody and in Las Vegas. He also worked at the Valley View Hospital in the maintenance department. He could fix anything and was so good with his hands. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman (he always tied his own flies). He loved to hunt lions with his brother-in-law Val Robb. Ken is survived by his children Stacie (Dave) Hamill, St. George, Utah, Layne (Kaylyn) Bess Monticello, Utah, Kirk (Patti) Bess, St. George, Utah, Toni Bess, Parowan, Utah and Kate Bess, Parowan, Utah. 25 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren (with 4 on the way!) Siblings, Kathleen Stones, Parowan, Utah, and Betty Jo Robb, Paragonah, Utah. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, two brothers Ray and Ronald Bess, two sisters Cleone Richardson and Janet Thornton, and two children Amber and Cody Bess. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Cedar City Hospital and the hospice nurse Colleen for the kind and loving care they gave to Ken. We love you Ken! Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the Paragonah Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.serenitystg.com

Kenneth Lawrence Bess

October 13, 1948 - July 10, 2021