Reid Whittaker Sewell, 91, of Fernley, Nevada, passed away July 11, 2026.
Born March 15, 1935, in Arizona to Kent and Frieda Sewell, Reid spent his childhood in Arizona and California. He attended Brigham Young University and graduated from San Francisco State College.
Much of his adult life was spent in Sacramento, California, where he and his wife, Marilyn, lived and operated Royal Service, a wholesale business. They were married for 34 years until Marilyn passed away in 1994. Reid later met and married Diane in 1998. Together, they moved from California to Nevada, where they had lived for the past 15 years.
Rebuilding classic cars was one of Reid’s passions. At one time, he owned 12 cars housed in three four-car garages. He also enjoyed golfing and was a talented watercolor artist. Together with Diane, who also paints, Reid was a member of Nevada Arts in Carson City and the Sierra Watercolor Society in Reno. He exhibited his work in many shows at the May Museum and other venues, earning various awards for his artwork. The couple was also involved with the High Desert Art Group in Fallon, Nevada.
“Reid was a big man who painted with the tiniest of brushes! Trains and stunning panoramic landscapes were some of his favorite subjects, although we in the art group watched him paint portraits and architectural scenes, mules, horses and even turtles. He was a master of detail. He left a big impression with the members of our High Desert Art Group, always offering counsel and artistic advice if we asked for it. You could trust his critiques because he doled them out thoughtfully, and he possessed a great eye for how to make our art and our perspective better.”
“Reid truly loved and cared about people. We saw how he painted his granddaughter’s portrait, and then we heard about his gift to her of his restored pickup truck ‘because her car was worn out and she needed the truck more than I did.’ He usually had a humorous story to share with us. He and Diane always took time to invite the LDS missionaries in to have a glass of lemonade and a good chat. Yes, Reid was a big guy who will leave a big hole in our art group and in our hearts. We love you, Reid, and will miss you so much.”
—Claudia Hutchings, High Desert Art
Reid is survived by his loving wife, Diane Sewell; his three sons, James Sewell, Whitney Sewell and Michael Sewell; and Diane’s daughter, Kris Hara. They each have many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kent and Frieda Sewell, and Diane’s son, Don Kennedy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.
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