Arthur Laurence 'Art' Kehs

Arthur L. (Bud/Art) Kehs Sr., 87, peacefully left this earth after a 10-year battle with COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis. He faced dying fearlessly and with dignity just as lived his life. He passed at home in Las Cruces on March 30, 2018 with his wife and granddaughter Krystal present. Art was born the fourth child to Eugene Kehs and Sadie Hyde Kehs on December 17, 1930 in Easton, Pennsylvania. Art grew up on the banks of the Delaware River which ran behind his home. Here is where he got his love of swimming and fishing. At the age of 11 he hand set bowling pins at the local bowling alley for one cent per game. At 16, he worked in a dry cleaner running the press. One day he found a money roll containing several hundreds of dollars. He reported this to his boss, but his boss wanted to keep it and call the owner, but Art said he would keep the money until the lady came to claim it. He figured the boss would keep the money and he wasn't going to let that happen. The lady came in to claim the fortune and said than you and left. His boss fired him for that act and that is when Art decided to join the Navy. He soon turned 17, his parents signed for him, and off he went to Great Lakes, Illinois. Art proudly served his country for 20 years. During his Naval career, Art was stationed on the USSS Yarnell as a Gunner's Mate during the Korean conflict from 1950-1953. He also served on the USS Missouri, USS North Hampton and the USS Radford out of Hawaii. In 1957, Art married Ann Brushett of Trenton, New Jersey. They had two children Jackie and Art Jr. After honorably retiring in 1967, Art moved his family to El Paso, Texas. There he started his second career as a salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He retired after a successful 22-year career. Eventually Art and Ann moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Art enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, barbecuing playing basketball, badminton and horseshoes with his kids, cards, poker and board games. He was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan-win or lose. His granddaughters would dress up in their Dallas Cheerleading outfits and we all gathered at his house to watch the games. Art always had a story, a joke, or a lesson to tell. If he had a captive audience, they were in for entertainment and laughs. His wife of 43 years, Ann, Passed away suddenly in 2000. He met Myrtle Merritt in 2001 and they married in 2004. For the next 14 years, they traveled to New Jersey to see her family as well as other trips around the country. Wherever they went, the would always stop at casinos. He was so excited when he finally won a $7,000 jackpot. Art was a life member of VFW post 6917, where he held various positions. He and Myrtle are also Member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Art, Dad and Pappaw will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife Myrtle; daughter Jackie and son Art Jr., all of Las Cruces; granddaughters Krystal Stephens of Las Cruces, Stacey (Robert) Flora of Rio Rancho; and grandson Clinton (Karli) Fahrlender of Vancouver, Washington. Great Granddaughters Haley Stephens, Kaitlynn, Ashlynn and Brooklyn Flora, and Abigail Fahrlender. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. Art was predeceased by his parents, wife Ann, all his siblings, friends and one nephew. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association or VFW Post 6917. Memorial services are scheduled for Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Getz Funeral Home. Pastor Paul Rydecki will be officiating. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Art's life. The family would like to thank all those who cared for Art over the past 15 months; Mountain View Regional Medical Center. Advanced Care hospital of Southern New Mexico, Drs. Zahir, Graor, and Arzabala; Michael Castillo, PA; Lori and Sylvia from Dr. Zahir's office, Pat from American Home Patient. Charlotte RN, Prisma CNA and staff from Mesilla Valley Hospice; Pastor Rydecki who made frequent home visits and Susan Mullins for coming to the house to cut his hair. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, corner of Solano and Bowman Ave. To sign our local online guestbook please log onto www.GetzCares.com.