Frederick "Joe" C. Hess

Joe Hess was born on March 13, 1934, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to John "Jack" William Hess and Coral Anne Frogett. After his father's passing in infancy, Joe and his family lived with his grandmother in Brisbane, where he fondly remembered his pet Koala, Christmas plum pudding, and adventures with his grandfather in the Outback. 

During WWII, Joe was evacuated to the Outback and stayed with a kind family whose son, Joey Ferrington, became a lifelong friend. After the war, his mother married an American soldier, John "Johnny" Lee Hargrave, and the family immigrated to the United States by ship, a journey that took 21 days. By age 14, Joe was traveling the country in big rigs with Johnny, and by 19 he was driving them himself from Dallas, Texas. At 22, Joe became a U.S. citizen and achieved his dream of flying by joining the United States Air Force. He began his career on B-50 bombers, flying weather reconnaissance out of McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California. While stationed at McClellan, Joe met and married the love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Jane Watkins, in 1959. For Pat and Joe, life was always an adventure.

Joe's next duty assignment took the young newlyweds to Kindley AFB, Bermuda where Joe became a father for the first time. He and Pat welcomed their son, Jeffrey "Scott", and life's adventures had truly begun. The next duty assignment took the family to Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Florida where they welcome their daughter, Kathleen Marie. Joe and family also lived in Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina and Anderson AFB, Guam during his time in the military.

Joe proudly served 28 years in the Air Force, including 11 years with the Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt AFB. He logged over 10,700 flight hours as a weather reconnaissance flight mechanic, hurricane hunter, Special Operations flight engineer, and on special duty assignment with the CIA (Air America). He was the recipient of numerous commendations and eight Air Medals before retiring in 1984.

One retired, Joe spent 11 years delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service in Pensacola, Florida before fully retiring in 1996. He and Pat continued to travel widely and enjoy life together. Joe especially treasured his role as "Grandpa" to Andrew, Zachary, Patrick, and Katherine. He loved having his children and grandchildren very close by and was very involved in their lives daily.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Pat; his daughter Kathleen (Carl); his daughter-in-law Karen; his grandchildren Andrew, Zachary, Patrick, and Katherine; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Johnny, sister Barbara, and beloved son Scott.

Joe's was a life well lived, full of laughter, adventure, and much love. 

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