John Hess

John R. Hess of Jackson, Wyoming passed away peacefully in his home on June 9th surrounded by loved ones.  John was born March 15, 1948 in East Lansing, Michigan and grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
He first visited Jackson in 1967 and the mountains called him back to make Jackson his home  in 1981. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and microbiology from the University of Minnesota.  He served in the Navy as a hospital Corpsman for four years.
John was an outdoorsman who loved the mountains and the majesty of the desert.  John was passionate about backcountry skiing , mountain and desert hiking, birdwatching, painting, and music.  He co-owned Snake River Music with his life long friend, Chuck Spray. He fished commercially in Cordova, Alaska, was a guide on the Snake River and drove a START bus.
In 1992, he married the love of his life, Christine Langdon, on an overlook of the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers near Moab, Utah.
John endured a difficult battle with cancer which he faced with courage and grace.  He was able to accept the unfortunate progression of the disease with the assistance of St. John’s Hospice.  He was especially grateful to Dr. Bruce Hayse for his years of friendship and compassionate care, and to Tye Byrd his hospice nurse.
John was proceeded in death by his parents, John and Martha Hess and his sister Jane Hess Hnat (Tom).  He is survived by his wife, Christine Langdon, sister Susan Hess Adolphson (David), sister Sarah Hess (Walter Gallacher) and niece and nephews; Peter, Erik, Mya, Matthew, Dylan, and Andrew.
John’s deep love of nature and choosing to live simply will continue to inspire those who loved him.  Soaring eagles and mountain blue birds will always elicit thoughts of this kind and gentle man.
A small private service was held on Saturday, June 13.

Memorial donations can be made to The Audubon Society, www.audubon.org; or St. John’s Medical Hospice, PO Box 428, Jackson, WY 83001-0428, 307-739-7465.