James John Hess

Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois; his daughter, Vicki Fry and husband Richard; son, David Hess and wife Nicki; and daughter, Karen Hess; Grandchildren, Steven Fry and wife Jayla, Allison Savage and husband Clint, Sara Hall and husband Meador, and Audrey Tangen and husband Blake; as well as 9 great grandchildren, Zoey, Brooke, Zander, Ava, Lexi, Ellie, Hazel, Ryan and Joseph; nieces, Nancy Farrer, Cherry Wright, Rosemary Farrer and their families. By birth or by marriage, they were all his children because of his tremendous love and devotion to them. If anyone needed help, he was there. It’s not what you earn in this life that’s important, it’s who you’ve affected while you were here. That describes Dad, Papa, Pops.

Jim grew up in St. Cloud MN, surrounded by his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He attended a catholic school located near his house. He worked tending horses for a neighbor after school, and enjoyed ice skating, fishing, and playing on and near the Mississippi River, including a few more exciting activities like riding icebergs, and skiing behind cars in the winter.

After high school, Jim joined the Air Force and served in, and was wounded in the Korean War. While stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, TX, he met Lois on a double date. Jim’s intended date got sick and couldn’t go, so the other couple knew Mom and went to her house and picked her up to fill in. Thus began their journey that spanned almost 70 years. They were married August 23, 1952.

After being honorably discharged from Service to our Country, Jim began his career and family. He was in air conditioning/heating and plumbing by trade, but he could do almost anything. Besides building his own house in Manor from the ground up, he helped all the kids and grandkids with their home improvement projects. He was a wonderful teacher. Between him and Lois they could design, create, build, and accomplish almost anything.

Jim was a long time member of the Church of Christ and attended in Austin at Cameron Road, and Westover Hills, and most recently churches in Elgin and McDade. Jim loved family gatherings, family “work days”, fishing, the farm, and the cows. He also enjoyed going on trips and on cruises with the family. He was always busy- always doing something. He will be greatly missed. Services will be at a later date.