Gilbert E Hees

Our Lord in Heaven welcomed a new member, Gilbert “Gibby” Ernest Hees on May 30, 2014, at the age of 87. Gilbert, son of Ernest and Dora (Prinz) Hees, was born in Manor, Texas on December 5, 1926. He is the oldest of eight children; six brothers and one sister.

At Harlingen High School, he was an active sportsman including football, basketball and baseball. He was All Valley Quarterback and Co-Captain of the football team. He succeeded in making the newly formed Harlingen Capitals professional baseball team.

Gilbert met and fell in love with Dorothy Jean (Jones) Hees, in May of 1949 to whom he was devoted to for 64 years of marriage. Gilbert was also known well for his hospitality, taking into his home many friends and fellow Christians who would later be known as family.

He served in the Navy on the USS Bennington during World War II, and then continued to teach in the naval reserves. He retired as a Master Chief with over 25 years of service.

Gilbert was an electrical contractor by trade. He began, owned and operated his own business, Hees Electric, for 25 years before passing his legacy to his son, Kerry Hees.

Besides his family, Gilbert's greatest love was the Lord and his church. He and Dorothy attended Mesa Church of Christ where he became a Deacon and then an Elder for 32 years until he became too ill to serve.

Gilbert was a loving, dedicated Christian, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend. He will always be remembered as a hard-worker who enjoyed spending time in his garden, fishing and barbecuing with his family and friends. He looked forward every year to visiting with his very large family at the Hees-Prinz reunion on the lakes of Texas and will be missed by all those who attended.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Rueben Hees, Lawrence Hees, Leonard Hees, and Donald (Babe) Hees and his granddaughter Jennifer Krall.

Along with his loving wife, survivors include his four children, Deborah Krall, Becky Gullatt, Vicky Biggs and Kerry Hees. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. He is survived by his siblings Harold Hees, Melvin Hees and Ruth Garrison Scherer.

Services will be Saturday, June 7, 2014 with a viewing at 10:00 am followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at Mesa Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Copper Basin Bible Camp. Donations can be made at the service or mailed to Mesa Church of Christ - 1223 E Dana Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204. Please include Gilbert's name in the memo field.