Roy J. Hess

Roy J. Hess, 95, of Oskaloosa died Thursday, January 11, 2024, at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born April 27, 1928, in Mahaska County, the son of Michael R. and Jennie May Hull Hess. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School. On June 28, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lois Van Zante at the United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. Following their marriage, the couple helped Roy's mother on their family farm until he was drafted into the Army for the Korean War. Upon his return from Korea, the couple moved to Shellsburg, Iowa, where they rented a farm. Together they managed the livestock operation and the 480 acres of row crops. In addition to farming Roy was a long-haul truck driver. In 1974, the farm they had rented was sold and Roy and Lois changed their career paths. They bought a semi tractor, Lois went to school to learn to drive a semi, and the two of them drove all over the country as husband-and-wife tag team drivers. In 1977, they had an opportunity to return to Roy's family farm outside of Oskaloosa and take over that operation. For many years, they maintained the family farm in addition to being over the road truck drivers. Roy achieved a one million mile no accident safety driving record in his semi. In 2002, they sold the semi, rented the family farm to neighbors, and moved into Oskaloosa. Roy believed in being a good steward of the land and his resources. Early in his farming career he looked for the best farming practices that would not only make the best crop for the current year but how to maintain productivity on the land for years to come. He was an early subscriber to the idea of contour farming and terracing and tiling fields. He looked forward to yearly training at the extension office to brainstorm and share ideas with area farmers. His progressive ideas followed him into his trucking career. He and Lois were among some of the first husband and wife teams to drive over the road. They met many great couples in the early days doing the same thing and many of those friendships lasted a lifetime. He was a faithful attender of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. He was a proud supporter of the Farm Bureau and the NRA. His favorite hobbies were farming and trucking and he spent hours learning how to do each of them better. He was very proud of the fact that the Hess Family Farm is recognized as a Heritage Farm and remains in the family to this day. He enjoyed spending time with his family and always looked forward to getting together with children and grandchildren.
His family includes his two children, Joyce Hess of Oskaloosa and Alan (Terri) Hess of Swisher; three grandchildren, Arwen Rhodes, Erica Harold, and Andrea Sherman; seven great grandchildren, David Rhodes, Jr., Desiree Craig, Xavier Harold-Heine, Xander Harold-Heine, Hayden Sherman, Kayla Sherman, and Lucas Sherman; two great-great grandsons, Raylon Craig and Taggert Craig; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lois on November 23, 2019; his parents, and three sisters, Helene Hess, Mary Gable, and Anna Phillips.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Wednesday, January 17, 2024, after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 4-6 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Oskaloosa FFA.