REID M SOSSONG, RPA (65) TUCSON, AZ, passed away on June 19, 2023, after having experienced unexpected medical issues. Due to these medical issues, his health had been declining for several months. In the final moments, even when he continued to display signs of improvement and his usual tenacity, his fight abruptly came to an end.
Reid was born to Arthur and Gwen Sossong on April 18, 1958, in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. When Reid was young, his family moved to Tucson, AZ. They also lived in Scottsdale, AZ for a short time afterward but eventually returned to Tucson. Tucson was a magnet that pulled them back and ended up being the place to call home.
Growing up, Reid was very outgoing and had no trouble making friends no matter where he went. His friendliness and sociability carried on through his entire life. When Reid was 13, he and his older brother, Mark Sossong, became interested in motocross racing. Up until 16, Reid was a natural at it. By the young age of 14, he had already won 18 trophies at various tracks across Arizona. His love and commitment to the sport was truly unmatched. In the end, he just really enjoyed the fun of racing. These years were some of the most memorable and joyous of Reid’s life, as well as those of his brother and friends.
At 20 years old, Reid got involved in real estate. Having completed the proper training, he started at Indevco Realty, learning the industry hands-on with some of the best realtors working in the office. Reid quickly absorbed everything he could with real estate and was determined to stand out from other realtors. During this time, he earned his broker's license. Reid left Indevco and started his own company called U-Sell Real Estate. His approach was unique in that he offered significantly lower commission fees, which was something other realtors weren’t doing at the time. Because of his approach, word spread about Reid’s company and resulted in him steadily having between twenty-five to thirty listings at any given time. Eventually, Reid dissolved U-Sell Real Estate and created Nationwide Real Estate, which he renamed Reid Sossong Realtors. Around this time, Reid had also turned his love toward playing golf at many golf courses in Tucson and surrounding areas. As a realtor, he specialized in selling homes in golf communities. Since he knew most of the neighborhoods in golf communities, and since playing golf was his primary hobby, it was only logical to combine this hobby with his real estate career. Reid was very active in real estate for 40 years. At the age of 60, he decided to retire from real estate.
When Reid was 22, he started Desert Cleaning Janitorial Services, Inc., specializing in commercial office cleaning and janitorial services. Reid gathered everything he had to create this company. Having had to endure many challenges in the early years, he was determined to make this company a success. About five years into having the company, Reid’s brother, Mark, began working for him. Mark eventually left his full-time job working at Hughes Aircraft (now Raytheon Technologies) and became a partner with Reid. Between the two of them, they were able to grow Desert Cleaning to new heights and create a highly reputable company that still exists to this day.
Reid joined Building Owners and Managers Association, BOMA, in the 1990s. He became very active in this organization and served on many committees, volunteered for an endless list of causes, and eventually served on the Board of Directors. Reid completed the classes and requirements necessary and earned his Real Property Administrator, RPA certification as well. Desert Cleaning continued to grow, and despite this, the company’s culture remained true to Reid’s vision, core values, and beliefs. Reid was hands-on and very involved with most areas of the company each day. As Reid’s son, Scott Sossong, got older, Reid began mentoring and teaching him about the business and the world of business. All along the way, Reid mentored him and showed him the different areas of the business. After many years, Scott worked up to a leadership role in the company, also becoming a shareholder. At this point, Scott has taken on most of the responsibilities Reid handled for many years and has the vision and drive to elevate the company in the years to come. Reid, still wanting to be active in the company, showed up to work every day, helping out wherever he could. He always saw that his company, “his baby”, was being cared for the way he wanted. Scott and Mark will continue to operate the company and ensure that Reid’s vision, core values, and beliefs will continue to be upheld.
Reid is survived by his son, Scott, his mother, Gwen, and his brother, Mark. Reid will be dearly missed by not only his family and friends but also by the many people in the community who he impacted throughout his entire career. As per Reid’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0