Dale Ray Hess, 61, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Monday, September 28, 2015, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM. Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with Minister Mike Moore and the Rev. Brent Duncan officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8, Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Hess was born April 20, 1954, in Sacramento, California, to the late Floyd Wilbur Hess and Lawanda Pember Hess Parten. A former resident of Florida, he had lived in the community for 22 years. Mr. Hess was a truck driver for Avondale Mills in Tifton and enjoyed being in the outdoors hunting, fishing and gardening. He had a gift in woodworking and could make anything out of wood.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years: Darlene Hess of Fitzgerald; children and their spouses: Renee Manning & Rick of Fitzgerald, Shauna Shealy & Mark of Fitzgerald, Timmy Arnett & Gina of Marianna, Florida, Rachel Thompson & Michael of Waycross and Randy Hess of Texas; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers: Steve Hess & Lisa of Cochran and Larry Winfree and Pam of Fitzgerald; three sisters: Tina Moore & Conway of Fitzgerald, Dea Parten & Rick of Fitzgerald and Lisa Taylor & James of Fitzgerald. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Georgia Transplant Foundation, 500 Sugar Mill Road, Suite 170-A, Atlanta GA 30350.