Jack Taylor Hess

Jack Taylor Hess was born in Fairfield, Illinois on January 17, 1939 to Millard Taylor Hess and Evelyn Mae Welday Hess. He grew up in Ohio and West Virginia. As a young man, Jack served 4 years in the United States Navy serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Leyte. After moving to Texas in the mid 1960's, Jack met and married his wife of 44 years, Doris Elaine Chastain on January 15, 1971. Jack was preceded in death by his father, Millard Taylor Hess, his mother, Evelyn Mae Hess, his son, Timothy David Hess, his father-in-law, Homer Louis Cullum and his mother-in-law Josephine Hanna Cullum. Jack worked at Texas Instruments for over 32 years from May 1966 until retirement in August 1998. He worked at TI as a production group leader and as a research technician. Jack attended Mountain View College for several years. In 1984, Jack joined the Texas Army National Guard and served until 1989. He attained the rank of Sergeant and served as a tank commander. Jack was a very talented artist, singer and guitar player. His many interests included scuba diving, sailing his sailboat, treasure hunting and travel. He loved camping, fishing, cruise ship vacations, taking the travel trailer to Florida and throughout the United States. Most of all, his favorite place to visit with his wife was Walt Disney World in Florida but he was especially happy when he could take his children and grandchildren on the many trips to Disney World. Jack's children are daughter Joan Gail Smegner and her husband Steve Smegner, son Richard Lynn Chastain and his wife Melody Chastain, son Jack Taylor Hess, Jr., and daughter Cathy Darlene Hess. Jack adored his four grandchildren. They are granddaughters Kelsey Marie Smegner, Shelby Lynn Chastain, Emily Ann Chastain and grandson Aaron James Smegner. Other close relatives are sister in law, Janet Nix, nephew Michael Nix and his wife Pam, nephew Troy Nix and his wife Laura, niece Cathy Daugherty and her husband Joel, great nieces and nephews.