Loving husband, father, grand and great-grandfather and educator. Born May 15, 1933 and departed to his Heavenly Father on July 19, 2018, at 85 years. George was an avid reader and master gardener (a skill acquired from his father). He provided to many in the local area the fruits of his labor. He was born on the family homestead in Weiss, LA. He was a 1951 graduate of Live Oak High School in Watson. He accepted a scholarship in Basketball to Southeastern Louisiana College and participated in the 1954 NAIA Tournament, and graduated in 1955 with a B.S. in Sociology, and a minor in Speech. He attended seminary at Southern Methodist University for his Masters Degree in Theology and Divinity, and in 1970 he received his PhD in Sociology from Mississippi State University. He served as Youth Minister for the United Methodist Church in Angie and Varnado, LA, and then as Director of the Wesley Foundation at Southeastern. In late 1970, he began his tenure as Professor and Head of the Sociology Department until his retirement in 2005. He was later recognized as an SLU Golden Grad.
He is survived by a son, Stephen Montgomery Hess of Ponchatoula; daughter, Lena Thanette (Hess) Hunsberger and her husband Alan of Watson; five grandchildren, Nicole (Shane) Harris, Ashley (Derek) Sheese, Scott Hess, Shanna Lambert and Cole Lambert; and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Betty Beverson of Pride. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Johanna (Mizell) Hess, and his parents John Henry and Mary Amelia (Mixon) Hess.
George was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hammond, Y-Knots Square Dancing Club, a traveler, and a 10 year volunteer at North Oaks Medical Center. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to staff of the Richard Murphy Hospice House for their exceptional care during his stay.
George’s life will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church of Hammond on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials or donations to be made to the Richard Murphy Hospice House; 1109 S. Chestnut St, in Hammond or the FUMC of Hammond.
“Bear on another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
Please visit www.harrymckneely.com to leave condolences for the family.
