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Gary Hess Obituary
Hess was a family man but when he made a friend, he made a friend for life and treated them like family. Recently he said, "Your life is the people you love." He had a great sense of humor and was a kind and helpful man. His sister Carmen recently remarked, "Gary was quite a brother...full of fun facts and ideas!" He was full of stories and loved to talk.
It was fitting for him to die at home, surrounded by his curated collection of antique toys and other special belongings that he creatively put on display. He enjoyed showcasing his many collections. He played the perfect host as he pulled out an antique toy to tell the interesting history about it. Then he would play with it to show just how it worked. He believed strongly in keeping things nice.
An avid antique gun enthusiast, he enjoyed shooting objects as targets. He took his daughters, grandsons, and friends shooting.
A welder by trade, he enjoyed working with his hands to make and fix just about anything. To do this, he often used The Welding Truck, which was very special to him because it was his dad's. At one point in his welding career, he worked at DECO, Duke's Energy Company as an engineer. He even gave "Duke," (John Wayne) a ride in The Old Dodge.
Above all, his friends and family meant the most to him and he enjoyed the time he spent with them. He saved every photo, card or letter you ever gave him.
His survivors include: daughters Gina (John) and Geri ; grandsons Jordan and Jacob; sister Carmen (Tony); nieces, nephews, and many special friends.
(He requested not to have a service but you will be contacted if we have a small informal get together in the future so that we can share stories ourselves.)
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Greg Hess
April 28, 2025
KC Collins
July 21, 2024
Saddened to see this. Gary was life long friends from a young age with my father, Billy Evans. Gary was always there for my Dad and I. I have so many good memories of visiting Gary´s homes when I was a child. I have some pictures as young kid dressed up in some of his John Wayne memorabilia. I remember all the Turtles and toys. I´m grateful that my dad had a friend like Gary. Much love to his girls! KC!
Gina Decker
April 3, 2024
A year has gone by. I miss hearing your voice and our good talks on the phone. Everyone misses you. To know you was to love you and I am so happy you are our dad!
We shall see you again. I take great comfort in knowing you are at peace but I wish you were here with us.
Krystle Oftedahl
July 14, 2023
I am hoping that this message will reach his daughters Gina and Geri. Our fathers were very good friends and my Dad (Bill "Griz" Richardson) was very saddened by his death. He would like to get in touch with you somehow.
Please find me on facebook. Krystle Oftedahl (Krystle Richardson).
Our condolences.
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daughter
June 18, 2023
It would have been so nice to talk to you today. Before you went home, I told you thank you for being our dad and that you are a good dad. I miss you. I love you. Everyone is missing you.
Mikey
May 3, 2023
I can not believe I probably just wrote 10 paragraphs of the tale of how Gary and I first met just shy of thirty years ago in 1994.
The final line was to be :
bis wir uns wieder treffen
Pure German which translates,
Until we meet again
I am not fluent in the German language, only mastering English and Pig Latin thus far in sixty-one years
When I used m SMART phone to translate instead of a new browser page opening, it closed the message board and deleted my well told tale
Needles to say not going to let that happen twice
I do pray His girls will pick a time date and place for we that knew and loved their dad to Celebrate Gary and tell tall tales
Miss Gary soooooo.much already, as I'm certain all who had the privilege to be invited to his beautiful home do too
Love you Gary
Rest In Peace My Friend
Bis wir Uns Wieder Treffen
<--->
Mike E , Mikey, Michael Enders
Peter Madsen
April 23, 2023
Okay, Gary. I first met Gary when we were in the 4th grade. I was at McNally school, Costa Mesa, and Gary was enrolled at Wilson school. The next year I was transferred to Wilson and we were in 5th grade together there. At that time Gary lived with his mom and his stepdad, Mel. We became fast friends and roamed the streets together, on our bikes, or, usually on my bike riding double.
Back then police would stop us and issue tickets for this.
Then there were the Rhea Junior High days. You had to be there to know what that was about.
Later, we had a passion for cars and that lead to even more adventures, I do also remember with great respect, Gary´s dad, Gerald Hess. I really believe he had learned so much in his life that he passed on to Gary. He, and Gary were very talented craftsmen who in their way left an indelible mark on the world around them. Gary and I went separate ways in the years after our teens and then re-connected later, something like 15 years had passed and too much history to record here. When he told me of his ailment and likely life expectancy, we spent more time reflecting on our past and telling each other stories of our past. I have a lot of them and as it is with recalling these times when we were young, the details are still vivid. Rest in Peace friend.
daughter
April 10, 2023
My dad taught me a lot of things. Some lessons were intentional and some lessons were not- but they all helped me learn about life. The motto, "Don't mess with Hess" always rang true. Sometimes I think he forgot I was a Hess too. Having him as a father meant I was surrounded by special things and the moments that come with them. How many Generation Xers can say they learned how to drive in a classic 1957 T-Bird? Or learned how to load and fire an antique double- barrel shotgun? I thought it was normal to have a three bedroom house AND a "Gun Room" with steel bars blocking the door. I vividly remember off-roading in a truck, on an ATC, a minibike, a dune buggy, and another off-road vehicle. My sister and I hung on for dear life as he climbed and conquered hills and mountains.
He loved us and wanted what was best for us. He was caring and helpful. He bought me my first car at 17. He bought me another one when I was over 50 after he found out I was walking or riding my bike to work. He carefully picked out beautiful pieces of antique furniture to give as lifelong gifts. He wanted us to do well and it hurt him deeply if he thought or knew we were not. I miss him. It was so nice knowing I could just call him up and he would answer immediately. And oh the stories he would tell. I take comfort in knowing I will see him in Heaven someday.
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