Donald Earl Hess

Born: January 16th, 1926 in Boise, Idaho to Earl Eugene Hess and Alice Ethel Brassfield Hess. Don passed away peacefully at Rosetta in Burley, Idaho July 2nd, 2020.

Don lived in Boise until his dad, Earl, moved to Minidoka to work at the Minidoka Dam. They lived in Minidoka and Acequia area until he graduated from Acequia High School in 1944. At Acequia he excelled in football and basketball. After graduation he was drafted into the Army. He reported to Fort Lewis, Washington where he completed basic training. Don was then transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky for tank and mechanical training. Then to Fort Ord, California where he trained in Amphibious assault tanks on the beach and ocean. He was Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a member of the 742nd Amphibious Tank Battalion at the rank of Technical Sergeant 5th Grade at Fort Douglas, Utah on April 22, 1946. He was a tank crewman driver and rifle sharpshooter. He received a Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.

When he returned home, he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Moran Dam; then Ralph Casad, his brother-in-law, and he helped put in a low head turbine on the Buffalo River which is still in service today. Next he came back to Rupert to work for the Bureau of Reclamation for a number of years, then proceeded to Cassia Equipment Ford dealer as a mechanic, next his brother Thurm and he ran a service station in Rupert, later he worked for Bill Thomas at Rupert Auto, lastly he went back to the Bureau and worked for them until they became A & B Irrigation in 1966 where he continued as the shop foreman until retirement in 1991.

He married Georgia Anderson Hess on April 2, 1948, in Burley. They resided in Rupert until Dennis was born in 1949 when they moved to Burley. Then Gaylen was born in 1950 they moved back to Rupert where the 3rd son Jesse was born in 1954, They have resided in Rupert until his death.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Alice; Siblings Stan Moore of Washington, Jackie Hess Casad of Hagerman, Thurman Hess of Burley, Merle Hess who died as an infant, Raymond Hess of Declo, Duaine Hess of Rupert, Carol Hess Andrew of Paul, and Geraldine Hess Leonard of Heyburn.

Survivors are his wife Georgia of 72 years of marriage and brother Gerald Hess (Marilyn) of Rupert. Don and Georgia had 3 sons: Dennis Earl Hess (Joyce) of Talent, Oregon; Gaylen Rex Hess of Rupert, and Jesse Dean Hess (Peggy) of Rupert.

One Grandchild Valliann Marie Hess Nelson (Zack) of Twin Falls and 2 step grandchildren Logan and Brier of Seattle., And many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Don belonged to the Rupert Riffle Club, A bowling league, Rupert Riding Club, Cassia County Sherriff’s Posse where they road at many rodeos and the World’s Fair in Seattle in 1962, they also conducted search and rescue as a Posse, coached little league football, and in his later years he joined the VFW. He enjoyed fishing, float tubing where he made his own motorized tube, camping, and hunting. Don always enjoyed a good Trail ride and Sunday drives.

The family wishes to thank Rosetta assisted living for all their loving care and support.

A viewing will be held at Hansen Mortuary on Tuesday, July 7th at 6:00-8:00 pm with the funeral on Wednesday, July 8th at 1:00 pm also at Hansen Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Mini-Cassia Veterans.