James Gilmer Hess, 59, passed from this life on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at St Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro.  Born on January 18, 1962, to Kemper and Lela Hess in Fort Worth, TX. He married Jo Ann Humphrey on June 2003 in Paris, TX.

Preceding him in death were his wife; his parents; sister, Delores Hess; and a grandson, Dakota Smith.

Survivors include sons, Joshua Hess of Walnut Ridge, Justin Hess (Kara), Jason Benedict (Cassie),and Melvin Smith (Laine), all of Texas, daughters, Mindy Tribble (Steve) of Walnut Ridge, Renay Filkins (Ernie) of Texas, Christy Gosha (Tracy) of Clover Bend; brothers, Alton Hess and Larry Hess, both of TX; sister, Faye Mafactridge of TX; grandchildren, Jennifer, Phillip, Dakota, Madison, Shelby, Destiny, Blake, Cody, Ashton, Kaeton, Riley Makenzie and K-lea; great-grandchildren, Layton Kayden, Charlee, Harper, Dawson, Cooper, and Hendrix; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Paris, TX.