Oren Hess, of Apopka Florida, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 4th in his home at the age of 47. He was born and raised in Mackay, Queensland (Australia) to Julian and Catherine Hess and he lived there until his marriage to Julie in 1998.
He is survived by the love of his life, Julie and two very loved children, Ethan and Alysha. His family in Australia include his father and mother Julian and Catherine, brothers and wives Adam and Tracy and Kieran and Emma and sister and husband Nereda and Mick along with nieces and nephews Brianna, Brayden, Jude, Mica and Ezra all residing in Queensland, Australia.
His American in-law family are David and Lynne Barrett, Scott and Kara, Hillary and Iurie, and nieces and nephews Christian, Colby, Carter, Jude and Lyla.
Oren graduated with honors from Mackay State High School. He was very musical and completed Grade 8 (certificate of performance) in piano with the Australian Music Examination Board. He added to his artistic skills by completing a degree in Cabinetmaking through Queensland TAFE. He was talented and gifted in his chosen profession and created many amazing and unique pieces of furniture for family and clients. His home is filled with the demonstration of his love of his craft and family. Sharing his love of music, he often sat down at holiday gatherings to gift his talent to those who loved his short but sweet concerts. With typical Oren humor, when his sister commented on all his gifts and talents in the family, he said “you win some, you lose some.”
Despite a few woodworking misadventures, Oren did have his thumbs and they were both green. He loved his Aussie fruits and could grow them in Florida which he did in abundance. Just like his Pop in Eungella (Queensland), he loved sharing his lychees, starfruit, mango, avocado, custard-apple, atemoya, mandarin, pineapple and nectarines with friends and family.
Oren may have been a True Blue Aussie, but he was Maroon through and through. He loved to watch and play Cricket and Footy, staying up late to catch up on all the “down under” playoffs. Despite the time difference he watched every State of Origin series from afar, cheering his Queensland team to victory most years.
Oren will be remembered at Markham Woods SDA Church, where he was a member, for his contributions behind the scenes, especially in the kitchen. As a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef, he put his knife skills to work for Pathfinder cookouts and Men’s Ministry breakfast’s. Only he would know how many hundreds of tomatoes and onions he diced, eggs he cracked, and mouths he fed over the years. He also left his mark on the church literally in the woodwork found in the church and youth center.
Oren was kind, generous and inevitably loved by so many. To be so loved by so many says it all. God, eternal, put a little piece of Himself in Oren. We believe it will live on eternally.
In light of the escalating pandemic situation in Florida, his family will be having a virtual memorial service for Oren with contributions from friends and family around the world. The link for the memorial service will be shared when available.
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