Gary Don Hess

Gary Don Hess, son of James Chester Hess and Anna Darlene (Rolf) Hess was born May 21, 1952 in Paris, Arkansas. Gary grew up and attended school in Westboro, Missouri. He was raised in the Lutheran Church. On September 13, 1969 in Westboro, Missouri, Gary was united in marriage to Annette Elaine (Olsen). Gary and Annette shared over 41 years of marriage and two loving children: Trish and Gary. Gary joined the United States Army in 1971. He was stationed throughout the United States and Germany. He was a proud and true soldier and served with great dignity and pride. Gary was patriotic from his head to his toes. He retired at Fort Leonard Wood in 1992. After retirement, he worked as Transportation Director for Head Start, and later a truck driver instructor at Ft. Wood. He truly enjoyed training the young soldiers. He was currently driving the OATS Bus. Gary had a great love for children, not only his own children and grandchildren but all children, especially those that were not as fortunate as most. He loved spending time with his family, and collecting John Deere memorabilia. He never met a stranger and was blessed with the “gift of gab.” Gary departed this life Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at his home in Richland at the age of 58 years. We were blessed to have him in our life and will cherish the fond memories for a lifetime. Gary is survived by his wife Annette Hess of Richland; two children: Trish (Kevin) Roam of Dixon, Missouri, Gary Jay (Kimberly) Hess of Lynchburg, Missouri, his siblings: Delores Krejci of Bennington, NE, Gerald Hess of Stewartsville, Missouri, Bobbie Newby of Meeker, Oklahoma, Margaret Crocker of Kansas City, Missouri, Charlotte Burch of Springfield, Missouri, Frank Cornelison of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, Judy Cornelison of Kansas City, Missouri, Vickie Allen of Kansas City, Missouri, Deborah Tellez of Seattle, Washington, Connie Hernandez of Kansas City, Kansas and Michael Cornelison of Kansas City, Kansas; two aunts: Fern Ebert of Shenandoah, Iowa and Marjorie Wheeler of Las Cruses, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren with two on the way. Gary is preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Charles Evan and one sister: Anne Gosling. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, December 10, 2010, in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Rev. Pam Quigley officiating. Special music selections included "Just As I Am" and "Amazing Grace". Serving as pallbearers were Harold Bever, Matthew Toothaker, Gary Burch and Marcus Laroe. Burial followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.

Gary Don Hess

May 21, 1952 - December 7, 2010