Sonny J. Kless, 25

On Sunday, June 27, 2010, Sonny J. Kless flew out of the lives of his friends and family and into the arms of the God he knew. Sonny was born to Jeff Kless and Janelle Gentry on Aug. 13, 1984, in Whangarei, New Zealand. Sonny, true to his nature, always disputed this date and preferred the U.S. date of the 12th. This would be one of the few times he would arrive early. This may also have been a thinly disguised excuse to reap a few extra presents. Sonny spent his early years on board the sailboat, Dark Star, in the Pacific and then in Vancouver, British Columbia. He then spent his time growing up in Colorado, California and Montana. He attended school first in Bigfork and then Kalispell, where he was also active in speech, drama, football and basketball. Sonny was blessed with exceptional intelligence and quick wit. Typically, this comes with mixed blessings. As most parents of young adults know, teenagers can act out. Sonny was no exception. With his typical intensity, and penchant for social economy, a one-hour crime spree brought Sonny an extended two-year stay in Wyoming. This became a blessing in disguise. The desolate countryside and the Spartan living conditions gave Sonny the time to use his intelligence for introspection, and his life took a new direction. Returning to Montana, Sonny attended the University of Montana in Missoula, graduating in May of this year with a double degree in environmental science and communications. While at the U of M, Sonny developed a fund for sustainable education programs to borrow money from, then repay, thus giving sustainable environmental causes sustainable financing. During this time Sonny earned his private pilot s license, a dream he had since childhood. Sonny s goal was to become a commercial pilot. Sonny searched for his path with unrivaled sincerity and curiosity, and in that pursuit accidental heartbreaks would sometimes come to those who loved him. This may be the final heartbreak, but Sonny will continue on his path. Sonny is survived by his mother, Janelle Gentry; and father, Jeff Kless; brother, Dustin Haines, of Eugene, Ore.; and sister, Sydney Kless, of Boulder, Colo. Survivors also include his grandmother, Anne Gentry, of Whitefish; grandfather, J. Gentry of Rifle, Colo.; uncle, Kirk Gentry, and aunt, Michelle Gentry, of Kalispell; aunt, Barbara Kless, and uncle, Jim Kless, of Palm Springs, Calif. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to Lake County or Sanders County search and rescue; or the Student Pilots Scholarship Fund, Glacier Bank, Kalispell. A gathering to remember Sonny will be held at 2 p.m. today, July 3, at Best View Storage, on Columbia Falls Stage Road.