 John
William Hess was born in
Albia
,
Iowa
on
March 1, 1951
. He is the oldest of three children
of John Francis and Patt Hess. John
attended St Mary’s elementary
school and
Albia
Community
High School
. After high school John attended
the
University
of
Iowa
and received a Bachelor of Science
Degree from
Creighton
University
in 1975. John’ stepfather J.
Edmond Slack was raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason in
Astar Lodge in Albia
Iowa
at the age of 89.
While attending Creighton University
John was a member of the Delta Chi
Fraternity and served as a member of
the Athletic Department as a
Lecturer in Physical Education.
After graduating from Creighton
University John was employed by
Roberts Diary of Omaha Nebraska
and worked out of their
Grand Island
facility as a Regional Sales
Manager. John moved to
Kansas City
in 1982 and was employed by
International Distributing of St
Louis as the Kansas City Sales
Manager. In 1985 John joined the
firm of J. Nick Gray and Associates.
John served as a partner with the
firm until the death of the senior
partner in 1992; from 1992 to 2004
John was employed by Mo Kan
Distribution as a dispatcher and
Regional Sales Manager. Presently
John is employed by the State of
Missouri
, Family Support Division as a Child
Support Specialist.
In August of 2003 John married the
former Ina Winfrey. Ina is the
Daughter of Emerson O. Brown and the
niece of Stanton T. Brown.
John served the Boy Scouts of
America as Scoutmaster, District
Commissioner and on the Council
Camping Committee. He was honored
with the District Award of Merit,
Vigil Honor from the Order of the
Arrow and the Silver Beaver Award
from the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America.
John is a member
of the Delta Chi Fraternity and
served a Vice President of his
Creighton Chapter during his senior
year. After graduation he served
three terms as a member of the Board
of Regents. John also served as
alumni advisor of the
Iowa
, Creighton and Kansas City Chapters
of Delta Chi.
John is a member
of Buckner Lodge # 501 (initiated in
1994) and holds a life membership
there. He was Worshipful Master of
the Lodge in 1996 and 1997. John is
also a Past Master of Kansas City
Lodge # 220.
John is a Past
High Priest of Liberty Chapter #3
Royal Arch Masons, a Past
Illustrious Master of Liberty
Council #50 Royal and Select Masters
and also a Past Commander of Liberty
Commandery #3 Knights Templar. He is
a member of the Order of High
Priesthood, the Past Commander
Association in
Missouri
. John is also the recipient of the
Knight York Cross of Honor (KYCH)
John is a life
member of the
Kansas City
Valley
of the Scottish Rite and currently
is 1st Lt. Commander of
the Council of Kadosh. John was
honored with the distinction of
Knight Commander of the Court of
Honor (KCCH) in the fall of 2006.
John served as a
member of the Board of Directors of
the Masonic Home of Missouri from
1999 to 2003, serving on the
Admission and Discipline committee
and the Administration committee.
John served the
Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand
Master for the 59th
District and Grand Orator. Grand
Master Stanley Thompson appointed
John to the Advancing Line as Senior
Grand Marshall in 2004.
John is a Past
President of the Kansas City Chapter
of the National Sojourners as well
as Past Commander of the Old Glory
Camp of the Heroes of 76. He is also
a Past Excellent Chief of
Charlemagne Chapter of the Knights
Masons and Past Celebrant of the
Missouri
College
of Rosicrucian’s. He is currently
Junior Warden in Kilwinney Council
AMD.
John has served as
President of the Masonic
Childrens Foundation and has been
involved in the creation of the
MOCHIP, Missouri Child
Identification effort.
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