For the many who love Jess, the benediction from Hamlet is not inappropriate: "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"
Jess died of pneumonia exacer-bated by lymphoma and asthma on February 2, 2000 in Bountiful, Utah.He was born in Farmington, Utah, the eldest son of Elvira Nielsen and David Willard Hess, on January 8, 1920. His parents and family greatly influenced the man he became. Jesse graduated early from Davis High in 1938 and attended LDS Business College although extensive reading and the experiences of life were his greatest teachers. Jess enlisted in the US Navy in January of 1942 where he was classified as yeoman due to his typing and shorthand skills. He eventually served as secretary to Admiral Paro who was chief of Advanced operations for the invasion of Okinawa. He landed on Okinawa in the first wave of Marines with Advanced Operations, and took a live shell in his thigh fifteen days later; it did not explode but remained a waiting bomb ready to go off anytime. Miraculously Jess survived and was awarded a Purple Heart.
Jess married Maurine Smith on March 5, 1942; the marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 20th of that same year. They are the parents of one daughter, Eileen. Jess settled down to work his way up the ladder in an industrial supply firm, eventually becoming the credit manager. He left there in 1976 and began work as office manager for the South Davis County Water Improvement District retiring in 1989. Jess knew how to work!
As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jess served in many capacities, but he is best remembered and loved for his work with the youth, especially the young men. He has been leader, teacher, and great friend over many years. Jess also served as finance clerk, writing thousands of receipts by hand as this area grew and people contributed their bit toward building programs and paid tithing. Encouraging children to pay tithing, he always made a big deal of writing their receipts. Because he loved children, children loved him. For years he passed out Jolly Ranchers to the kids as they left church.
We cherish Jess for his warm and generous and loving nature, for his delightful sense of humor, and for his dependability and loyalty. He was a wonderful father, husband, and brother. Jess grew a fine garden and took pleasure in sharing his gardening talents and produce; he enjoyed reading and travel.
He is survived by his wife, Maurine and his daughter, Eileen. He is also survived by three brothers: Vern (Alice), Dale (Lois), and Neal (Mae) as well as three sisters: Nina (Dale) Page, Helen (Lee) Eatchell, and Anna Lou (Fred) Scholes.
Jesse loved and appreciated his Doctors Regina. We thank Dr. Drueding for her extraordinary concern and compassionate care especially in his last illness, and Dr. Klein and her wonderful staff for their continual cheerful, encouraging care through years of chemo.
Funeral services will be held in the Val Verda Second Ward Chapel at 2651 South 500 West on Monday, February 7, 2000 at noon. Friends and family may visit at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Bountiful from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, 2000, or in the Relief Society Room prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.