Obituary of Jack Smith Hess

JACK SMITH HESS, JR. passed away January 27, 2014 at his home in Houston, TX. He was born May 25, 1944 in Marshall, TX to Jack Smith Hess and Jean Evelyn Patrick Hess. Jack attended Sam Houston Elementary in Marshall and Marshall Junior and Senior High Schools, moving to Overton, TX in 1961, graduating from Overton High School, Kilgore College, and Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Business Administration. In Marshall Jack played Little League baseball and basketball at Overton High, always remaining for life an avid sports fan and student of history and genealogy. Jack started his work career with a Marshall News Messenger paper route and later found great satisfaction working in service stations learning to service and repair automobiles. After college Jack served in the United States Army from August 1968 to August 1974, including a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam from July 2, 1969 – June 30, 1970 as a Personnel Specialist (SP5) with Battery B, 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery (Dusters). Their motto was “Coelis Imperamus (We Rule the Heavens).” Military decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with DVC 60, 2 Overseas Service bars, and Marksman M-14 Rifle award. After returning from Vietnam he served 4 years in the Army Reserves stationed in Oakland, CA. After an honorable discharge from military service, Jack was employed by Schlitz Brewery of Longview and Amoco Oil and Gas of Tyler and Houston. He served as Commander of VFW Post 7211 in Tyler from 1977-1978. In 2006, Jack received the Cross of Military Service (Vietnam Conflict) award from the United Daughters of the Confederacy as veteran and direct descendant of Seaborn Jesse Whatley, a Confederate soldier. Jack is survived by two daughters, Mary Catherine Hess of Arlington and Amanda Rose Hess of Houston;five sisters, Paula Hess Clampitt (Truett) of Houston, Sara Hess Roney (Bill) of Sydney Australia, Patricia Stroud Willis (Don) of Wimberley, Susan Stroud McFarland (Rick) of Austin, and Sally Stroud Land (Mark) of Austin; brother, William Hess, PhD of Walla Walla, WA; step-brother, Michael Stroud, MD of Granbury; and a number of nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, Horace Stroud, and grandparents, Sara Frances and Aaron Hess and Pauline and Ernest Patrick and his beloved step-grandfather, Frank Spencer. A graveside service with military honors is planned for 1 pm on Saturday, February 1st at the Overton City Cemetery. Arrangements provided by Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton, TX.