John C. Hess was preceded in death by his parents, Russell C. Hess and Julie E. Barton Hess and his brother Edward B. Hess. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra E. Hess, son Russell (Kelli) Hess and daughter Heidi (Erik) Hess-Bynum; brothers Albert (Heidi) Hess and Robert (Linda) Hess; multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.
John grew up in Iowa and Wisconsin and obtained his bachelor’s degree from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. He was awarded honors and the Purple Key upon graduation. He furthered his education when he received a scholarship from Texas Christian University, where he received his Master’s Degree in American History. With this achievement, he accepted a position at Middle Tennessee State University instructing American History. While at MTSU, he was awarded a scholarship to Vanderbilt University Law School. In 1974 he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence. As an attorney, John opened his sole general attorney practice with offices starting in Brentwood, Tennessee and later moving it to Hermitage, Tennessee.
While John was in Winona, he met his life-long companion and wife, Sandra E. Tyler. After finding his sweetheart, they were married March 25, 1967, in the Chapel of Central Lutheran Church in Winona. They had their son, Russell, in 1976 and four years later their daughter, Heidi, completed the family.
As an avid sportsman, John was a competitive trapshooter, hunter, fisherman and boater. He was an active member at multiple gun clubs where he taught others the skills of Trap shooting. After he obtained his NRA Certified Shot Gun Instructor Level 1 and was “Coach John” to many in the Skeet program. John was the treasurer for multiple years with Ducks Unlimited and supported conservation efforts. He had a great interest in classic cars including Lincoln Continentals.
John and his wife were Charter Members to Celebration Lutheran Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees for Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He is defined by his kind and generous nature to those he loved as well as strangers who were in need.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday June 22, 2024, at Celebration Lutheran Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. His resting place will be in the Celebration Lutheran Memorial Prayer Garden at Celebration Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, should you feel the need, please make a donation to an animal shelter or rescue group of your choice.
He will be missed but most of all by his beloved cat Annie.
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