It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved son, Kenneth “Kenny” James Gestner, whose bright spirit touched the lives of all who knew him. Kenny, age 34, made his departure from our world on January 25, 2025. He lived in Denver, Colorado. Kenny began his entrance into our world when his mother, Jeanette Karen Gestner, went into labor on Labor Day. With Kenny’s father, Kenneth Frank Gestner, at her side, Kenny was born the following day on September 4th, 1990, in Denver, Colorado. As an infant, Kenny, radiated joy, his bright smile and cheerful spirit bringing warmth to everyone around him. His mother often remarked that, of all her five children, Kenny was the easiest one to care for because his joyful spirit made everything effortless. As a child, Kenny loved to play with his siblings. His high-pitched, giggly laughter was often heard throughout the house. One of his favorite past-times was watching Disney movies with his siblings and his Grandpa Johnson (his mother’s dad), to whom he was very close as he was the primary day-care provider for them while his parents worked. As a toddler, one of his favorite movies was Mary Poppins, which he would watch as he sat on the floor with an open umbrella perched over his shoulder. Kenny’s many talents and his innate creativity began to shine throughout his childhood. It was apparent early on that he had a natural artistic ability. He filled many sketchbooks with his drawings, and he fully enjoyed his art classes throughout his school years. In fact, as a high school senior, he was recognized as a National Art Honors student, and was awarded a letter in Art. After graduating high school, he went on to get his Associates Art degree at Red Rocks Community College. Singing, playing guitar and a love for music were also among Kenny’s many talents and passions. He expressed the desire very early on in his childhood that he wanted to learn to play the guitar, so his parents enrolled him in four years of private lessons, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Needless to say, he learned quickly. He also loved participating in choir classes throughout his school years, as well as jazz choir in high school. In his early twenties, he carried on his love for music by helping to create a power-punk band called Saving Avery. Kenny was the lead singer and guitarist, and the band played at several venues throughout Colorado including headlining at many. During the band’s 5-year span, Saving Avery published several of their own original songs, as well as covers and creative “mashup’s” of covers. One of Kenny’s other passions was cosplay. Since he was a young teenager, he loved to dress in various costumes, usually of his own creation, imitating some of his favorite anime, comic book or gaming characters. He enjoyed several years of attending countless conferences with his cosplay friends and creating wonderful memories for all involved. His most recent passion was as a streamer on KenbotTV, a channel he had created on Twitch. He loved the play-through challenges like playing through Kingdom Hearts on Critical Mode or Nuzlocke Challenges on Pokémon. He had also started a YouTube channel with some of his friends called 2nd Chance Inn, where they play underrated games that deserved a “second chance”. Kenny’s greatest passion, and love of his life, was his partner, Geoffrey Eugene Solomonson, “Geoff”. They met on July 4th, 2021, and each of them knew from that moment that there was something special between the two of them. They officially became a pair the following month. Kenny and Geoff were like two peas in a pod, the yin to each other’s yang. They often finished each other’s sentences, broke out in song together, quoted lines from movies together, cosplayed together, played D&D together, told inside jokes with another, and quite often, they laughed together. Their combined laughter was so billowing and booming that it filled a room with joyful glee. Their love for one another other was undeniable. They had recently picked out wedding rings and were planning to announce their engagement with family and friends. Throughout the journey that was Kenny’s life, his loving and genuinely caring spirit, coupled with his outgoing personality, allowed him the gift of creating friendships, many of them, along the way. He was a stranger to no one. He wished everyone peace, love, joy, and happiness in their lives, and aided friends and acquaintances whenever he was able. He did all this with a humble heart, for he knew no other way to be. Although it may feel as though the world is dimmer with the extinguishing of his light, in reality the world is brighter because of the light he so selflessly shared onto others – for it is this light that continues to ripple onward and outward. We were truly blessed to have had him as our son. Until we meet again, Kenny. Kenny was predeceased by his uncle, James Allen Gestner, his grandmother and grandfathers, Benita and James K. Johnson, and Bruce Allen Gestner. Kenny is survived by his loving partner and fiancé, Geoffrey Eugene Solomonson, his parents, Kenneth and Jeanette, his siblings, Angella Escalante and her husband, Ruben, April Acunto and her husband, David, Amanda Gestner, and his youngest sibling, Jacksun Ryder Gestner and his wife, Samantha Jarell. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Richard Johnson and his husband, Ron Marchelletta, Barbara Johnson, Michael Johnson, David Gestner and his wife, Mary Sanderson, Jeanne Wear and her husband, Steve, Susanne Lopez and her husband Mike. Kenny is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Elyana, Victoria, Anthony, and Madilyn, along with many cousins, great aunts and uncles, and many extended family members. We will be honoring Kenny’s wonderful and amazing life with a Celebration of Life event which is set for Saturday, February 22nd, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO, 80003. All friends and family members who want to share in the celebration of Kenny’s life, pay their final respects, and ceremonially say good-bye are welcome to join in this special event.