James Otto Hess

James Otto Hess, 67, passed away on January 12, 2020 surrounded by his family. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 5, 1952 to the late Roman H. and Mary B. (Sprouse) Hess. Jim graduated from Linden-McKinley High School after also attending St Francis DeSales High School for two years. He worked in the grocery business for 45+ years for mostly independent grocery stores (where he met his wife, Joan) and most recently at Cardinal Health in their warehouse. He is a long-time member of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish where he was an Usher and in-home Eucharistic Minister along with being active in Charitable Works and the Knights of Columbus. Jim earned the Knight of the Year award in 2018. He was very strong in his faith in God which sustained him through his battle with cancer. He was faithful in saying a daily rosary for both his intentions and those of others. Jim enjoyed golf, bowling, bonfires with his family, sitting on his new patio greeting neighbors as they walked by, cars, and listening to all types of music. He loved to watch sports including, the OSU Buckeyes and the Columbus Blue Jackets. When they were young, Jim enjoyed coaching his sons in little league baseball and basketball. He was especially overjoyed to be Pop Pop to Roman and Gracie and soon to be Jaxson. His family and friends remember that he never met a stranger.

Jim will be greatly missed by his wife of 44 years, Joan; sons, James M. (Christa) and Matthew D. (Tiffany) Hess; grandchildren, Roman, Grace and soon to be Jaxson; siblings, John Hess, Don (Susie) Hess, Joanne Weisenstein, Dave (Donna), Dianne Hess, Thomas Hess (Gigi), Michael Hess, Steven (Suzi) Hess, Mary Hess, and Paul (Jenny) Hess; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael (Kelli), Thomas (Nancy), Robert (Linda) and Margaret Kurczewski and Sylvia Hess; aunts, Marge DeLapp and Eleanora Murphy DellaCamera, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Beverly (Brice) Metzger, George Hess, Patricia Hess, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Arrangements were entrusted to Schoedinger Northeast 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, Ohio 43230 where a visitation will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A rosary service will be held beginning at 7:15. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 10am followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Matthew Charitable Works.