Obituary of C. Curtis Hess

Rev. C. Curtis Hess of St. Petersburg, FL and Rock Lake, MI passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 19,2007 at Gratiot Medical Center, Alma, MI. His loving family surrounded his bedside. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Louis Church of Christ with Dr. Keith Wise and Pastor Roger Penwell officiating. Internment will be in the Richland Township Cemetery, Vestaburg. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 6- 8 p.m. at Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rock Lake Christian Assembly, 7384 Vestaburg Road, Vestaburg, MI 4889 I (www.rlca.org.) Carl Curtis Hess was born May 3, 1926 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Robert Lee Hess and Freddie Alice "Tiny" (Trotter) Hess. He met his wife, Joan West of Portsmouth, Ohio, at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. They married September 1, 1946. He was educated in the Indianapolis Public Schools and received his B.A. from Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1948. A minister for over 63 years, Curt was ordained May 7, 1944 and served in Cadiz, IN and Xenia, OH before a seven-year term at Sciotoville Church of Christ~ Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1955, Curt moved his family to 8t. Petersburg, Florida where he planted the Central Christian Church. Beginning as a humble congregation of 19 adults, Central Christian Church would grow to 2,500 members -at one time the largest Christian Church (Disciple of Christ or Independent) in Florida. Curt retired from full time ministry on December 31, 1991, which was noted in the U .S. Congressional Record by Hon. C. W .Bill Young. Never tiring of preaching, Curt served as a seasonal pastor in Seminole K.O.A as well as many churches in Michigan near his summer home. For 25 years, Curt served as a Trustee of Atlanta Christian College, from which he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1964. He served as President of Florida Christian and Vice President of the North American Conventions as well as other ministerial associations. Always active in his community, Curt served on the boards of many organizations such as: Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch, Community Police Council, Circuit Justice Planning Council, Suncoast Goodwill Industries and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a charter member of the Exchange and Kiwanis Clubs in St. Petersburg. In particular, Curt served twelve years on the Governing Board of Palms of Pasadena Hospital. Curt served as the Chaplain of the Day for the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the United States House of Representatives. He prayed over the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo, one son, Tim (Lynne) Hess of Staunton, V A, two daughters, Tricia (Gale) Heinzen and Joy (Rob) Pearsall both of St. Petersburg, FL. Six grandchildren, Scott (Amy) Heinzen, Becky (Jeremy) Moen, Greg Hess, Lauren Hess, Paul Hess, and Alexis Pearsall. Two great-grandchildren, Julia Heinzen and Natalie Moen. Also one sister, Mary Frances (Paul) Neal of Sun City Center, FL. Curt was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Lynne Anne Hess. Curt will be remembered as a loving encourager who changed the lives of all those he touched. Always a faithful servant to the Lord, his life was balanced with laughter and blessing for which he will be dearly missed. A memorial service for Curt will be held Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 2:00PM at Central Christian Church in St. Petersburg . Service Information