Thomas J. Hess Jr.

Lake Charles - On March 11, 2014, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge and Cameron Parish lost a champion for the outdoors, Thomas J. Hess, Jr., age 63, passed away at his residence.

Tom was born in Wilmington, Delaware, where he learned to hunt and fish and developed his love and passion for the outdoors. He was a graduate of Louisiana Technical University with a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Management and later went to LSU to receive his Master's degree in the Wildlife Management. His love of the great outdoors, with everything that it has to offer helped him in 1972 when he was hired as a Biologist Assistant at Rockefeller Refuge. In 1975, Tom accepted employment with Little Pecan Properties as the General Manager and the Wildlife Land Manager. Being a wildlife biologist allowed him the opportunity to work with Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans and the Whooping Cranes reintroduction back to the Southwest area. His main passion was for the ducks in that habitat area of 75,000 acres he called "the Center of Duck Universe." He concluded his career as Program Manager of Rockefeller Refuge in Grand Chenier, LA. Tom was a mentor and roll model for his sons, grandchildren, community and the people he worked with. He showed what it meant to pursue your dreams and passion.

Those left to cherish Tom's memory are his loving wife of over 40 years, Charlotte Beach Hess of Lake Charles; his sons, Brandon Hess and wife Renee of Lafayette, LA and their children, Camryn and Andrew Hess and Timothy Scott Hess and wife Lacie of Laccasine, LA and their children, Taylon and Kaden Hess; and his two sisters, Marsha Stroud of Melborne, FL and Maureen Hess of Englewood, FL. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy Hess, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, Tom requested donations be made to the Whooping Crane Foundations.

A Memorial Service will be 1:00pm, Friday, March 14, 2014 at St. Eugene Catholic Church. Rev. Richard (Uche) Adiukwu will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00am until time of service at church. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com