Raymond Eugene Hess

DECLO - Raymond Eugene “Ray” Hess, an 84-year-old resident of Layton, Utah, and a former longtime resident of Declo, passed away Monday, April 23, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Ray, the son of Earl and Alice (Brassfield) Hess, was born in his aunt’s home, March 29, 1934, at the Minidoka Dam and raised in the Acequia area.

In his early years, Ray worked on the family farm where the family spent hours clearing the scrub brush and digging ditches, bringing water to the arid farm ground. Ray and his siblings enjoyed fishing at the reservoir which helped him develop a love of all things outdoors and family. He graduated from Acequia High School where he excelled in basketball, baseball and track. Ray also served in the United States Army National Guard for three years.

He married Carole Turner of Declo. In 1963, Carole died in a tragic car accident leaving him critically injured. His family rallied around him during this time to help him care for his three young sons. In 1965, Ray married Helen Heileson of Idaho Falls.

Ray graduated from National School of Meat Cutting of Toledo, Ohio, in 1961. He was known around the valley as one of the top meat cutters. For many years at the Livestock Sale you would hear the auctioneers voice ring out, “Send it to Hess Brothers.” He was proud of having a family business.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ray was very caring - always concerned about the welfare of others. He enjoyed visiting with friends (or strangers). If you were in a hurry, you knew not to send Dad to the store for a quick errand.

He was a tremendous husband, father and grandfather. He always put the needs of others before his own. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Helen (Heileson) Hess; nine children, Randall (Belinda) Hess of Turlock, California, Robert L. (Linda) Hess of Twin Falls, David E. (Tammie) Hess of Layton, Utah, Todd (Nicki) Myers of Warren, Utah, Jason (Karla) Hess of Shelley, Camille R. (Ken) Jaynes of Layton, Utah, Chad (Amanda) Hess of Bedford, Indiana, Rebecca A. (Nate) Roskelley of Sumatra, Montana, and Sarah L. (Dane) Gonzales of Boise; 23 grandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; and two brothers, Don (Georgia) Hess and Jerry (Marilyn) Hess.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carole (Turner) Hess; his parents, Earl and Alice Hess; and seven siblings, Kenneth Moore, Keith Moore, Stan Moore, Jackie Casad, Thurman Hess, Duain Hess, Carol Andrews and Geraldine Leonard.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Declo Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., in Declo, where friends and family may call from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. Burial will be in Declo Cemetery under the care of Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.