Earnest Kelly Marzett

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Earnest Kelly Marzett, 59, died unexpectedly March 9, 2023, at home. He was born May 25, 1963, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Elmo and Wallis Janet (Ford) Marzett.

Kelly attended St. Monica Elementary School (formerly known as St. Joseph) where he graduated in 1977. He then graduated from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1981. Kelly obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Care Administration from Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1985. After graduation Kelly worked in healthcare at John Knox Village and for several years in banking. He spent the majority of his career as a long-term care insurance claims examiner at several companies, before retiring after a severe back injury in 2008.

Kelly met the love of his life, his husband Scott Christian England, in 1998 in Kansas City when they both were part of the Heartland Men’s Chorus. They were married on Sept. 27, 2003, at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and were then legally married on Sept. 26, 2008, in San Diego. They celebrated 24 years together in September 2022.

Kelly loved music and acting and was involved in numerous performance groups in high school and college. He was a member of the Heartland Men’s Chorus for 30 years, joining in 1993, and singing Tenor 1. He performed numerous solos and with various small groups over the years. Family was extremely important to Kelly and he played an active and joyful role in raising all of his nieces and nephews. He was the favorite “guncle” (gay uncle) long before the term was in vogue. He loved to cook for people, but hardly ever used a recipe, preferring to cook by taste and instinct. Kelly was an enthusiastic hobby beekeeper for 12 years, maintaining up to five hives in his and Scott’s backyard, and was constantly landscaping their yard to provide food for the bees. Under the brand of Marland Farms, his “Urban Queens Honey'' was highly sought-after by family and friends alike. Kelly was also an avid reader, who always had at least one book open on his tablet.

Kelly was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, and multiple aunts and uncles. He is survived by his husband, Scott Christian England; two brothers, Gilbert Ray Marzett, and his wife, Stephanie, of Kansas City, Missouri; and Jamie Marzett of Kansas City, Missouri; two sisters, Darcus “Pucci” Hullaby of Kansas City, Missouri; and Janine “Nini” Marzett, of Waukee, Iowa; eight nieces and nephews - Brian Hullaby, Tony Hullaby, Leah Hullaby, Cierra Marzett, Jonathan Ferguson, Jamie Marzett Jr, Sophia Marzett and Joseph Marzett; four grandnieces and nephews - Anthony Amrine, Aaric Kennedy, Ellie Mae Ferguson and Harper Ferguson; and multiple cousins.

Relatives and friends are welcome to the visitation and viewing from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at Muehlebach Funeral Chapel, 6800 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut St., Kansas City, Missouri, with the Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons officiating. Family and friends are welcome to share conversation and light refreshments at the church immediately following the funeral service. Kelly will be interred in the Bonner Springs City Cemetery. Graveside services will be for family only.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Kelly’s memory may make gifts to the following organizations: Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City at www.hmckc.org; Save The Bee, a nonprofit organization increasing awareness of the critical role honey bees play in our food supply, funding scientific research on honey bee health and nutrition, and supporting projects that create and maintain pollinator habitat, educate farmers and gardeners, train beekeepers in best practices, and lobby for pesticide reform at www.savethebee.org; or by making a gift of honeybees to families around the world through Heifer International at www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/animals/gift-of-honeybees.html