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John Hess Obituary
HARLINGEN, TX. - John R. Hess, age 90, of Harlingen passed away Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Johnny Hess was born in Houston on August 7, 1922 to Alvin C. and Helen Seddon Hess.
He graduated from San Jacinto High School in Houston in 1940 and then attended Texas A & M University for one year before dropping out to enter the Army. He served in the Army Air Corp from 1941 until the end of World War II. He was a pilot and served in the Southwest Pacific Theater. After being discharged in August of 1945 he joined the Army National Guard where he served for 17 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
While stationed in Mobile, Alabama he met Lieutenant Helen Graff. They were married in Houston in 1945.
In July of 1948 they moved to Raymondville and opened Johnny's Western Auto Associate Store. In 1965 they purchased the Western Auto Associate store on 1st Street in Harlingen. Eventually the Western Auto stores became True Value and Johnny's True Value moved to Tyler Street in Harlingen. He continued working and managing the family's various hardware stores until his retirement in the early 90's.
While living in Raymondville he was very active in civic work serving on the Raymondville school board, the Navigation District, and was involved in the Jaycees and Lions Club.
John was preceded in death by his oldest child Jamie Ras Griffith and is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Helen Hess and their children: John R. (Liz) Hess Jr. of La Feria, Gaye Noyala-Ross of Raymondville, James (Melinda) Hess of Harlingen, Carl (Joyce) Hess of Leander, Edwin (Cathy) Hess of Seguin, Donald (Joe) Hess of Orange, California, and Serena (Michael) Hess-Cole of Dallas. He had 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Visitation hours will be held on Monday, May 27, 2013 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a Rosary at 7:00 PM at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 28, 2013 with Full Military Honors.
You are invited to sign the guestbook or leave a memory at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Sign the guestbook at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/valleystar/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Hess
Patti and Sam Sagebiel
June 1, 2013
Sam and I just heard about your father. We are so sorry. Your dad, your mom and family were great friends. We have many fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am sure my parents. Hugh and serena rilley welcomed him home
with open arms.
Dorothy Jean Howell Carroll
May 29, 2013
Thanks to Facebook and Growing Up Harlingen, for posting, I would not have been aware of his passing. We lived next door (across 13th St) to Johnny & his family in Raymondville. My Dad always though a lot of Johnny, I know you miss him.
Mark Bard
May 29, 2013
James and Rusty, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good man and should be admired and respected by all for creating and operating such a successful business for so long. Y'all have my deepest sympathy.
Joe Martinez
May 29, 2013
God Bless Mr. John Hess, may he rest in peace. Thought and prayers go out to the Hess family.
May 29, 2013
James, Eddie, Rusty and all of the Hess family...Johnny was a real businessman. I remember his lectures on % of sales for a line item. It is something I have paid attention to for many years now. It is great that his legacy remains with 3 stores now.
Regards
Charlie Meyer
May 28, 2013
James, Rusty, and the entire Hess family, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. The few times that I met with your Dad I had nothing but admiration for his for him, his business knowledge and most certainly his people skills. He will be missed.
J.Oscar Barrera
McAllen, Tx.
May 28, 2013
I am deeply sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the the entire Hess family. May you find peace in the love and memories that were shared.
Ilene Nyquist
Sylvia Garcia
May 28, 2013
Prayers for the Hess family.
Abigail (Abby) Gonzales-Davis
May 27, 2013
My deepest sympathies to the Hess Family for your loss. Donald and Serena, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Cooper-Bohnenberger
May 26, 2013
I had the great experience to work for the Hess family in the late 60s at the store in Harlingen. They taught me so much about good business practices. The Valley has suffered a great loss. God Bless the family.
Raul and Melba Garcia
May 26, 2013
Our condolences to all the Hess Family. Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Many good memories of your dad in the Raymondville store.
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