Forrest Joseph Hess Jr.

Forrest Joseph Hess, Jr.

May 27, 1952 - September 29, 2023

YERINGTON - Forrest Joseph "Joe" Hess, Jr. (1952-2023), Joe Hess, 71, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2023, with his family by his side. Joe was born on May 27, 1952 in Reno, NV to Forrest and Louise Hess. He spent his childhood getting in to mischief in the Virginia Foothills of Reno, and later getting in to more mischief, fishing and hunting at the McCarran Ranch outside of Sparks, NV. During these years he made many friends that went on to become his lifelong partners in outdoor adventures. He graduated from Wooster High School in 1970.

He was an accomplished heavy equipment operator, and his life's vocation was in the industries of earthmoving, gravel, and mining. Joe spent his young adult years driving fast cars, drag racing his blown fuel jet boat named Liquid Measure, waterskiing, and being an all-around outdoorsman. He was a member of many sportsman's conservation groups including the Nevada chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Bighorns Unlimited, and the Nevada Bow Hunters Association. He was passionate about the sport of archery, serving as president of the Walker River Bowmen for a time, and passed his skills on to his children and grandchildren. He also greatly enjoyed fishing; considered himself a "serious fisherman" - and if he ever showed you one of his fishing holes, it meant he thought you were one, too.

In August of 2019, Joe suffered a spinal cord injury that changed the trajectory of his life. His grace and dignity in handling the changes of his abilities was an inspiration to all those around him. He even enjoyed picking out a new wheelchair, insisting that it be painted in the same bright orange as his drag boat once was. He was always known for his fun-loving, kind nature and he greatly enjoyed to visit with people; be it in person, or through his epically long phone conversations. His silly sayings and comments were sure to make the sourest person sweet. He will be greatly missed by all that he knew.

Joe is survived by his wife, Kim Hess; son, Josh Hess and wife, Marisa; daughter, Susan Frey and husband, Will; and step-son Ryan Aledo. His grandchildren, Cosmo, Jeremiah, Anya, Allison, Amelia, and Jessica will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Louise; brother, John; and sister, Mary Louise.

Services for Joe will be held in Yerington, NV at the Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home on October 21 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at Joe and Kim's house in Yerington. Please join us in celebrating the life and wonderful stories of this great man.