Ronald Hess

Ronald M. Hess, 78, died Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at Sunshine Gardens West in Durango. A Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2011, at First Baptist Church. Pastor Jeff Dobesh of First Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.

Mr. Hess was born May 15, 1933, in Alamosa, Colo., the son of John and Gladys (Rockey) Hess. Ronald spent his first years growing up in Center, Colo. When he was 10 years old, his father had to go where the work was and the family moved to California. But by the age of 13, Ronald was sent to go to school in Georgia and remained there until he graduated from high school. He then attended the University of Missouri and obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for Lockheed Martin in San Jose, Calif. Mr. Hess and his first wife moved to Colorado in 1973. She passed away in that same year in November and it was then that Mr. Hess went to work for Williams Field Service. He then met Mary “Tommie” Seward Beach and they were married in Durango in 1979. He continued to work and then retired in the late 1990's. He moved into Sunshine Gardens about 3 years ago and was an attendee at First Baptist Church of Durango. Mr. Hess enjoyed working on his computer, traveling, camping and the splendor of Colorado.

He is survived by Mary "Tommie" Hess (wife) of Durango, Mark L. Hess (son) of Guthrie, OK; Kathryn M. Sells (daughter) of Guthrie, OK; Linda M. Hess (daughter) of Littleton, CO; David (Margie) Beach (stepson) of Cottonwood, AZ; Judy Worwood (stepdaughter) of Kremmling, CO; Rebecca (John) Hofeldt (stepdaughter) of Green River, WY; Jonathon W. Beach (stepson) of Grandby, CO; Kenneth (Ermalee)Hess (brother) of Alameda, CA; Harold (Grace) Hess (brother) of Doylestown, PA; 20 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Leiland Baker Hess, stepdaughter Susan Beach Dowler and his stepson Stephen L. Beach.