John Hess

John William Hess, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed Monday, May 11, 2015 in Tulsa. He was 84 years of age.

John was born December 11, 1930 in Ponca City, the son of Gus Hess and Grace (Ruby) Hess. He was a graduate of Ponca City High School. He served his country in the United States Army, serving in North Carolina, Whittier, Alaska and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was married to Wilma Jean Cooper on December 30, 1950 in Ponca City, and to this union were born two children, Susan and Richard. He then married Wanda Leathers on February 23, 2006 in Newkirk.

John was a former member of the Ponca City First Baptist Church and currently a member of the Newkirk Church of Christ. John was a competitive trap shooter and had won many awards throughout the years. He also had enjoyed playing golf.

He is survived by his wife Wanda; two children, Susan Helt and husband Terry, of New Braunfels, Texas and Richard Hess and wife Kathy, of Coweta, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Kelli Neilson and husband Eric, of Odessa, Texas, Kourtney Lawson and husband Brent, of Midland, Texas and Zach Helt, also of Midland; three great grandchildren, Kristin Neilson, Matthew Neilson and Lauren Lawson; other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Wilma Jean; one brother, Gus Hess Jr. and one sister, Jo Gauger.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 15, 2015 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Minister Eugene Farrah of the Newkirk Church of Christ presiding. Interment will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.

Casket bearers are Zach Helt, Brent Lawson and Eric Neilson.