Barbara Greenspun remembers 1979: Memories rekindled from a trying time

Friday, Jan. 26, 2001 | 9:43 a.m.

Hank's column of March 7, 1979, brings back memories of a trying time for the Sun, and the friendship of a man who left an indelible mark on Las Vegas history.

When the Sun was destroyed by a devastating fire we were faced with almost insurmountable problems, mostly financial. As Hank explains, J. Kell Houssels Sr. was one of those who came to our rescue with financial aid in the form of loans, all of which were repaid when the Sun began to prosper again.

Today when I see a list of so-called leaders and beautiful people of Southern Nevada, I am reminded of the leaders of yesterday, who made possible our Las Vegas of today. J. Kell Houssels Sr. was one of those beautiful people.

It is true that the good that men do lives after them. Another Houssels, J. Kell Jr.'s wife, Nancy, has carried on the legacy of leadership. Saturday night the Nevada Ballet Theatre held its annual Black and White Ball, founded by Nancy, certainly one of today's beautiful people.

As we salute today's leaders, we must never forget the doers and dreamers who made it all possible.