David Lawrence Hess

David Lawrence Hess
1933 - 2007

David died July 28th, after a long illness in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 8th of 9 children, David was born September 1st, 1933 in Anadarko to Otto M. and Julia T. Hess.

He attended school in Anadarko where he was an honor student and lettered in baseball, graduating in 1951 He worked part time for Anadarko Daily News before attending college at the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering.

After two years of service in the Army and 15 years at General Electric as a manufacturing engineer, he joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation at Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

He helped plan and set up their facility in Winston-Salem, retiring in 1994 after 25 years there.

His great gifts in landscaping, masonry, and all forms of home improvement are of lasting use and beauty to the family; he also spent many happy afternoons with a loyal foursome on the course at Pine Brook Country Club, and served over the years both his church community and his neighborhood organization. In all his efforts he showed the virtues of perseverance and self-denial.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sarah (Sally) Hess; a son, Richard Hess, of Durham, North Carolina; daughter Stephanie Gilley and her husband, Sean Gilley, of Winston-Salem; siblings Lowell Hess of Wanaque, New Jersey; Stan Hess and Bill Hess of Tulsa; Les Hess of Lafayette, Louisiana; Virginia Hess of Oklahoma City; Jim Hess of Borger, Texas; Ross Hess of Lincoln, California; and numerous nieces, nephews, and relations.

He was preceded in death by his son, Will Hess; his parents, Otto and Julia Hess; and a sister, Vinita Watson.

The family received friends Wednesday evening, August 1 at Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Winston-Salem.

Funeral services were held Thursday, August 2nd at St. John's Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem.

The family thanks the Brian Center staff and Hospice Comfort Care team for their care and concern.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 2415 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to Hospice & Palliative Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.