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Frank Hess Obituary
SHREVEPORT, LA - Frank McLain Hess died peacefully, April 27th 2010, at Grace Home in Shreveport, LA. He was 86 years old. His health had been failing for several months. A music teacher, he worked in Pennsylvania prior to relocating to north Louisiana. He first taught band in Oil City, LA, Waskom, TX and Bossier High School and Central Park Elementary in Bossier City, LA. In 1963, he was asked to start a music program at Parkway Junior High in Bossier. He directed band at Parkway until 1982 when he retired. His years of teaching were dear to him.
Frank was born in Oklahoma City, May 15, 1923. His parents, Jean McLain and Jacob Carpenter Hess, taught at Oklahoma City University (then Oklahoma City College). Jean taught piano and Jacob taught foreign languages. During his teens, the family moved to his parents' home state of Pennsylvania and settled in State College. Following three years in the Army during World War II, he finished his education at Penn State. A few years later he moved South simply for warm weather.
Mr. Hess is survived by Mary Lou Slagle, his wife of 58 years, three children and four grandchildren: Daniel Frank Hess, his wife Claire Nixon, children Alan McLain and Anna Claire; Jerry Marvin Hess, children Jacob Carpenter II, Naomi Christine; Nancy Hess Collins and her husband Charles Wesley Collins.
Mr. Hess elected to donate his body to LSU School of Medicine. Former band students and his family have planned a service celebrating Mr. Hess' life. The service will be held on the afternoon of June 6th, 2010. Donations may be made to Team Sparks fund at Community Trust Bank. Amanda Sparks, a 2006 graduate of Parkway High School, has been struggling with a debilitating neurological disease for two years. She and her family could greatly benefit from your support to help with care and equipment. Checks should be made to Team Sparks and can be delivered in person to any Community Trust Bank branch or mailed to Community Trust Bank at 1350 East 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105.
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Memories and Condolences
for Frank Hess
Louise McAvoy Paddy
May 18, 2010
To Danny and the rest of the Hess family - I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Hess. I only heard about this recently when I read an article in the Times about a tribute concert. I didn't know Mr. Hess well but knew him to be a great man. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Annalee Ammons Yard
May 4, 2010
Mr Hess was a man who dedicated his life to making hundreds of students better people. He was always a humble, compassionate and caring man. He alone made the PHS band the greatest and in the process blessed each one of us. This world has been a better place because he was in it. I know that God is glad to have one of his most dedicated teachers and best conductors in heaven.
May 4, 2010
Mr. Hess was a wonderful teacher, a superb guide; he was kind and amusing and a intellectual example. We extend our profound sympathy for your loss.
sherrie (jackson) Norden
May 3, 2010
To the family of the man who treated me - as well as all of his students - as one of his own chidren, my dearest sympathy to all of you during this time of loss.
May 3, 2010
Claire and Danny, let me know if I can help you in any way. I am always there in spirit.
Love, Ned
Gloria Dailey Seegers
May 1, 2010
What a wonderful teacher and person Mr. Hess was to me and all my fellow band mates! What great times we had in Band class at PHS and the memories that are in my heart and mind! Thank you so much Mr. Hess and my prayers go out to his entire family. The angels in Heaven have the best band conductor ever and I know what a glorious band he is leading! Rest in Peace.
~ Gloria Dailey Seegers
PHS Class of 1981
Jo Ann Poindexter Rourk
May 1, 2010
To The Frank Hess Family
My heart goes out to your family. He taught my brother at Oil City School my brother thought a lot of Mr. Hess he sends he prayers also his name is Tommy Poindexter he played Trombone. The Poindexter Family.
Dave Peterson
April 30, 2010
The Parkway H.S. Band and Mr. Hess will always be synonymous. He was such a great man and did so much to make the program a first class organization. He always taught with a positive spirit and his love for music was contagious. Band was always my favorite class. I've thought of him often over the years and all of the great times we (proud band geeks) were able to enjoy because of him. I started playing music again a few years ago and remember what great joy it brings.
Thank you Mr. Hess. You will be greatly missed.
PHS Class of 1981
Carol LaPlante Beeman, PHS Class of 1973
April 30, 2010
My prayers to the Hess family and for the repose of the soul of Mr. Hess. Although I was not a member of the PHS band, my memories of Mr. Hess are that he was a highly respected and much loved teacher, his ever present smile, the trophies he and his award winning band won for PHS, and the proud moment when he introduced the Alma Mater to the student body when we finally became a full fledged high school. Rest in peace Mr. Hess.
Terri Altimus Painter
April 30, 2010
Mr. Hess was a wonderful teacher and human being. He touched the lifes of so many I really don't think he fully knew the true depth that he was loved by his students. He kept many kids from going down the wrong path and never once gave up on anyone. I only hope that one day I will be lucky enough to see that twinkle in his eye,the tap tap tap of his baton and the sound of OK guys lets hit the block. Mr. Hess was truly The Leader of the Band.
My condolences to his family and my thanks to them for sharing this wonderful man with so many of us for so many years.
Robert Troyer
April 29, 2010
Mr. Hess touched so many young lives as an educator, mentor, and a friend. Personally he both inspired & enriched my life as a student of music and was the embodiment of solid leadership. I will forever cherish every memory of my four years in the PHS band. I feel blessed & fortunate to have been his student. God Bless the Hess family.
Robert Troyer
PHS Class 1981
Stacy Schreiber Salzer
April 29, 2010
Mr. Hess will be missed by so many people. He touched and enriched so many lives. I can't even find the words to express just how much he was loved. May God bless and keep you safe during this time of your great loss.
Carol Wells Wallace
April 29, 2010
I was thinking of Mr. Hess just yesterday when I heard the music from "Oklahoma" on the radio. What he went through to teach us music! Does anyone else remember him riding through Shady Grove on his bicycle, saying hi to everyone? He was my favorite teacher. I am glad to have known him.
Alan Edgar
April 29, 2010
I was a student of Mr.Hess from 1974 to 1978 at Parkway High School,
he taught my 2 brothers and I the love music. He was an inspiration to all the students he taught and he will be sorely missed by everyone who's heart he touched. My God Bless and care for his family and friends.
Debbie Best
April 29, 2010
There are so many memories. Mr.Hess was always smiling and was a great teacher. He was also such a great man. He attended my sisters funeral in Homer, La. She loved him as well. I am so glad he attended the Graduating Class of 1972 20th. reunion. We all got a chance to reminise. He was GREAT!!
My deepest Sympathy,
Debbie Brown Best
Parkway HS Class of 1972
April 29, 2010
A true Prince among men. A selfless, dedicated, natural leader, finding the best in all he met. He touched and enriched the lives of thousands of people. He was a strong, positive influence in my life. The world is a bit emptier with his passing. Randall M.
ALEAH ALLISON
April 29, 2010
Mr. Hess was a gifted teacher and man. He had the patience of a saint, and his patience was tested many times during band trips. Those trips were so much fun and have provided us with memories we will cherish forever.
Thank you Mr. Hess.
Aleah Allison PHS '75
Elaine Whitfield Lee
April 29, 2010
The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God
April 29, 2010
Mr. Hess was the finest person I've ever known. I was one of the members of the first Parkway Junior High Band. It was a pleasure and a blessing to know him. He leaves a wonderful legacy to all who knew him.
Debora (Ferguson) Baud
April 29, 2010
There is a place in Heaven for Mr. Hess he touched so many lives. He taught my children at Parkway I will always cherish the memories of knowing this gentleman.
Gil Bazo
Susan (Saylors) Bryant
April 29, 2010
Nancy & Family,
I will be praying for you & your family. Your Dad retired before I got to Parkway, but I know my brothers loved him and I enjoyed watching the shows he directed. He will be greatly missed.
Rachel Dempsey Hauser
April 29, 2010
Mr. Hess was my band teacher at THCA. He was such a kind loving man and an excellent teacher. My prayers are with you and your family.
Rachel Dempsey Hauser
Donna Knotts Carlisle
April 29, 2010
Dear Ms. Hess, Danny, Jerry and Nancy and family. I am so saddened to here about Mr. Hess. He had such a positive influence on me and so many others. We were all so blessed to have known him and are grateful to you all for sharing him. Mr. Hess was such a kind and caring man. When I read about him today, my first thought was an Irving Berlin song “The song has ended but the melody lingers on”. He will be with all of you and the many others he touched forever.
Brenda Lee-Watson
April 29, 2010
Mrs. Hess, Danny, Jerry & Nancy,
I'll never ever forget your husband/dad. He imparted to me a knowledge and love of music that has lasted from my first encounter with him in 5th grade at Parkway Junior High (the first year it opened) until today. I had the pleasure of coming back to Parkway to be part of the first graduation class in 1971. It was exciting for me to reconnect with one of my favorite teachers. He was still the same caring, giving person. How I wish every child could have a Mr. Hess in their life.
My prayers are with you. May God strengthen each of you during the days ahead.
Brenda Lee-Watson
PHS, Class of '71
April 29, 2010
Nancy and Family, You have our deepest sympathy during this sad time. Mr. Hess was a wonderful teacher and had such patience with those of us with very little musical talent. I was in 6th grade band at Central Park. He encouraged me to do my best and instilled in me a love of all kinds of music. "To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die." Author unknown. Take comfort knowing how many students Mr. Hess influenced during his life.
Ann Alford Quarles and Terry Quarles
Beth Hamm PHS 1982
April 29, 2010
What beautiful memories so many of his students have from the blessing of learning how to play music and enjoy life under his leadership. Although he will be truly missed in this life, what beautiful music he will have the opportunity experience in Heaven! I will continue to pray for his family as they learn to live with the loss of such a wonderful man. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Lesle Gaulding-Reynolds
April 29, 2010
What a truly remarkable man. To the Hess family, thank you for sharing Mr. Hess with us all these years. He gave so much but took so little. In his memory, all that knew him will take what he taught us and share it with others so that his memory will never die. I love you Mr. Hess.
April 29, 2010
Danny, Jerry, and Nancy I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I knew him as far back as his days teaching at Bossier Hi. I think your dad was a good man and a wonderful teacher.
Daniel McCuller
Lynn Jackson McFadden
April 29, 2010
Dear Mrs. Hess, Danny, Jerry and Nancy and families, You all are in my prayers. I know you miss him so much. Mr. Hess was a wonderful man. He had such a positive influence on my life and the lives of so many students. He was dearly loved. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Sandi Hayden Peace
April 29, 2010
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Hess..He was a good man..He taught me in band for 5 years..My heart goes out to you all.He will have his own band in heaven..
Patricia Dowden
April 29, 2010
Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your family member. He was my band director at Waskom High School and we all loved him.
Patricia Wheeler Dowden
April 29, 2010
Please enter a condolence here .mr hess taught me band in elementary school at central park elementary!!!! he made a big impression on me at a young age, i so remember his work ethics. my prayers are with the family at this time..... peggy collins saunders
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud
April 29, 2010
The Final Salute
“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Frank McLain Hess our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Frank And to Frank it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during WW-II while serving in the U.S. Army. Frank, we bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,341 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Frank’s family and loved ones.
Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
Ron Parr
April 29, 2010
My prayers and condolences go out to the entire Hess family.
What an awesome man he was, he made a positive mark on the impressionable lives of so many who attended Parkway. He’s innate ability to bring out the best in anyone and everyone forged the building blocks and laid the foundation for young men and women to become what they are today. We are ALL better for having known him.
There is a choir of angels singing as he conducts a heavenly orchestra, I can just hear the “taps” of his baton on the podium.
Go in peace Mr. Hess.
In HIM…
-Ron Parr
Parkway Class of 1975
Galatians 6:2
April 29, 2010
I WAS SADDENED TO HEAR OF MR. FRANK'S PASSING. I WAS IN HIS BAND WHEN IN THE 6TH GRADE AT CENTRAL PARK ELEMENTARY. HE WAS A GREAT TEACHER AND A REALLY LOVED PERSON BY ALL OF HIS "KIDS". HE WILL BE MISSED GREATLY.
MIKE WRIGHT
[email protected]
Denise Baker Dorsey
April 29, 2010
What a loving, giving man. He was such a wonderful teacher to me beginning in 1963 in 5th grade band and ending my senior year in 1971. I've spoken of him often to friends and family. My deepest sympathy for Mrs. Hess, Danny, Jerry and Nancy as you miss him. You have such wonderful memories to draw from.
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