Obituary

Ronald Earl Hess, a 59 year resident of Grandview, Missouri, passed away on December 28, 2019 in Grandview, Missouri. He was born on November 6, 1936 at home near Adrian, Bates County, Missouri. His parents were Ruth Madelyn (Nelson) and Earl “Earlie” William Hess. He was the oldest of their four children. (Earlie Hess was previously married to Neva Talley who perished in childbirth along with twin sons, Jackie and Jimmy.)

He lived on the Hess home place from age two until he was married. He attended Hess Elementary and the Crescent Hill  Elementary. He entered Adrian High School where he graduated in 1954 as President of the class. Ron married Peggy Keller in the Christian Church in Adrian on August 21, 1956. They were the first couple married by the new minister, Rev. Stanley (Jim) P. Barnes. Ronald was privileged to be the best man at his grandson Jacob Hess’ wedding to Jessica which was officiated as the last wedding Rev. Barnes performed on September 21, 2017.

He is from the Gotthard Hess lineage that moved to home place near Adrian in 1879. He was baptized in the Christian Church in Adrian and is currently a member of Red Bridge Methodist Church, Kansas City, MO.

Through the years, he worked at the Produce House in Adrian and Johnston’s Garage in Denver Colorado. He joined the United States Air Force in January of 1956 and served four years active duty. One year of that in French Morocco, North Africa. After the military, he began working for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO, retiring in December 1997, after 37 years. During this time he took several college classes at Warrensburg.

After the Hallmark retirement, he worked 12 years for the Langsford family in Greenwood. He has been known as the “fishing equipment guy” at garage sales. After joining the Grandview Lions Club, he was a 3 time president and served as District Governor of MO26-G and served two terms as an Alderman for the City of Grandview.

His greatest joy in life has been the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The death by electrocution of his granddaughter, 11 year old Crystin Nicole Hess on June 29, 1997 and then her brother, Sgt. Jacob Hess in a military accident on May 15, 2019 was a devastating blow.

He has given full-time love to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Earlie Hess; his sister, Patty Osborn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Peggy Hess; children, Russell Hess (Michele), Ross Hess (Carol), Ronda Hess Ayres (Russell Ayres), and daughter by love, Debbie Wayland Hess Patton and Joe. He also leaves behind grandsons, Brad Hess and great-granddaughters, Mckenna and Maci; Mrs. Jessica Hess and great-granddaughters, Cryssi and Zoey, Elizabeth, Caroline, and Evee; Wayland Hess and wife, Dr. Amanda and great-granddaughters, Ella and Rylie; Tyler Ayres and Taylor Ayres and granddaughters, Crystin (deceased), Ashley Hess (Desmond Ford) and Haley Jo Peterka (Luis Chaves) and great-grandson, Ryker. He also leaves brother, Harlan Hess (Carol B.); and sister, Donna Kauffman (Jim); many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held in the Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3^rd St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063, 816-524-3700 on January 2, 2020 at 11am, with visitation the hour prior. Services will be  followed by burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, MO. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Grandview Lions Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 212, Grandview, MO 64030 in memory of PDG Lion Ronald Hess.