Charles A Hess

Charles A. Hess passed away March 14, 2011 in Vancouver, Washington at the age of 81. He was born in Oxly, Missouri on April 15, 1929 to Samuel and Nellie Hess.

Charles grew up on a farm in Missouri during the depression. The farm was completely self sufficient, growing all the food and animals for the family. This is where Charles learned horticulture, animal husbandry and tool making. During grammar school, Charles often rode a horse several miles to the one room school he attended in Doniphan, Missouri. When his father's health failed, the family moved to St. Louis. He went to work for the railroad before deciding to go to college. He attended Freed-Hardeman college in Henderson, TN where he met his bride to be, Jean Canady. He also attended Abilene Christian College, The University of New Mexico, Murray State University in Kentucky, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, , and San Diego State earning several Masters Degrees along the way.

Charles and Jean (Canady) were married in 1949 after meeting at Freed Hardeman College and raised seven children. Earning his Masters in teaching, Charles went on to teach science and chemistry for San Diego Unified School District in 1961 finally retiring in 1987. Late in life, they began to spend summers at their home in Ridgefield, and winters at their home in San Diego.

Charles became a preacher during his time at Feed-Hardeman and Abilene Christian. His love for the church and desire to nurture it were embraced by him all his lifetime. Not long after becoming a preacher, Charles came to be in demand for scores of gospel meetings and tent meetings all over the midwest and south; some lasting three weeks, often two weeks. Through his endeavors he planted and started many new congregations including Quincy, Illinois, Keokuk, Iowa, Bel Echo, Missouri, Hannibal, Missouri, Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Santee, California. He was a full time pulpit preacher in Quincy, and in Cairo, Illinois, Melber, Kentucky, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Santee, Lemon Grove, Poway, and Escondido, California. He served as elder at La Mesa Church of Christ and Bostonia Church of Christ. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Hazel Dell for several years and until his passing.

To know Charles was to know his love of Scripture. He studied the scripture in Greek and Hebrew. He wrote many religious commentaries on the New Testament published on the internet at Oldpaths.com. He read the entire scriptures several times each year of his life, and particularly read the New Testament each year in Greek. He started and taught scripture for several years in the San Diego Bible Institute.

Charles and Jean loved each other very much throughout their entire lives. They loved to be together and also were able to travel all over the world, and enjoyed seeing such places as the British Isles, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Australia and their favorite, The Holy Land. They were also able to visit all 48 contiguous states with numerous visits to New England to see the beautiful fall foliage. Together they were also avid bird watchers often going to Lindo Lake in Lakeside, CA. and the Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, WA.

Charles is survived by his loving wife Jean of more than 60 years, his children, Phil (Connie) Hess of Portland, OR, Mike (Sylvia) Hess of Ridgefield, WA, Larry Hess of Peru, Sam (Diane) Hess of Portland, OR, Debbie Hess of San Diego, CA, Paul Hess and David Hess both of Arizona. He also survived by eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Services are tentatively set for April 9 at the Church of Christ in Hazel Dell, WA.

Arrangements under the direction of Davies Cremation & Burial Services, Vancouver, WA.