Kody Lee Kissling, 39, passed away unexpectedly on April 6.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1980, in Ogden, Utah, to Fred and Ruth (Martin) Kissling.
He graduated from Mountain View High School in 1999, and attended college at Central Wyoming College in Riverton. He was employed at Solvay Chemicals.
He met the soon-to-be love of his life Sarah (Walker), but once he met Ella, he knew they were meant to be. Kody and Sarah were married on June 18, 2011, at the family ranch in Fort Bridger. Their family was complete when Dallie joined a year later.
Kody’s first love was roping. He spent most of his life roping anything that moved, including any person who stepped in his path. Kody loved to hunt, fish and work on the ranch. Kody was always helping those around him, doing whatever he could to lend a hand in any way.
Kody loved his community, as he served in the Lions Club and volunteered for numerous benefits. Kody could sell a raffle ticket to anyone; given the chance he could have sold beachfront property in Arizona. If you knew Kody, you knew he was a fan of everything John Wayne. One of his favorite John Wayne quips of wisdom was “Life is tough, it’s even tougher when you’re stupid.” But most of all, he loved his family and being a father to his two best buddies.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; daughters, Ella and Dallie; his mother, Ruth Rees; stepfather, Allen Rees; in-laws, Russell and Susan Walker; his sister, Kandy (Rusty Hutchinson) Kissling; half-brother, Fred (Christine) Kissling; stepbrothers, Jake (Chris) Rees and David (Kelly) Rees; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
“See, you get yourself three or four good pals; then you’ve got yourself a tribe and there ain’t nothing stronger than that.” And a tribe Kody had. He was loved by so many and will leave a void in their lives. He truly was a one-of-a-kind man with a heart of gold and the gift to leave you with a smile.
He is preceded in death by his father, Fred Kissling; and his grandparents, Oliver and Peg Kissling, and Glen and Katie Martin.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, in the Lyman Stake Center in Urie. Visitation will be on Wednesday evening at the church from 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday prior to the funeral, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Interment will be in the Fort Bridger Cemetery.
Online condolences may be given at crandallfhevanston.com.
