John W. Hess, IV

John W. Hess IV was born November 6, 1945, in Brigham City, Utah, son of John W. Hess III and Thelma Maxine Dunning, fifteen years into their marriage. His mother became so violently ill that she thought she had a tumor. The doctor told her she had a tumor alright–a two-legged one. They lived on a ranch in northern Utah, in a house with 3 rooms and a path until John was 9 years old, when they moved into Tremonton. He graduated from Bear River High School in Garland, Utah. After marrying and living in the northern Utah area for 25 years, he was hired by Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha as a crew dispatcher, later, as a train dispatcher until he retired in 2008. During that time, he moved to Logan, Iowa, where he met and married Lela Fry Fokken on September 28, 1996, in the Logan, Utah, temple. They moved their blended family to Persia, Iowa.

John was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Logan, Iowa, where he was assistant scout master, youth teacher, and served in the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha. He never knew a stranger, talked to anyone and was always helping someone move, cut wood, or haul things. He tilled garden spots for people all over the county. John was an avid reader, an excellent dancer and enjoyed camping and water skiing. He liked to work on cars, always doing the maintenance on the family vehicles. Soon after marrying Lela, they began traveling throughout the United States visiting family and friends and ended up seeing all 50 states. They went on cruises and toured parts of Europe with extended family. They truly loved traveling together.

In 2018, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he passed away peacefully at his home in Persia on Monday, September 8, 2025 attaining the age of 79 years, 10 months and 2 days. He is predeceased by his parents; a daughter, Carleen Hess; her mother, Virla (Worwood) Hess. He is survived by his wife, Lela; 5 sons, Glen Hess (Yvonne) of Albuquerque, NM; Rodney Hess (Pam) of Ogden, UT; John W. Hess V (Sandra) of Farr West, UT; Bradley Hess (Wendi) of Bennington, NE; Scott Hess (Beth) of Kaysville, UT; former spouse, Alene Park of Ogden, UT; stepchildren, Phillip Renie of Saratoga Springs, UT; Julie Hogue (Spencer) of South SLC, UT; Jamie Bunday (Mike Sanden) of Santa Rosa, CA; Andrea Moore of Sandy, UT; Micky Fokken (Megan) of Ft. Worth, TX; Michael Fokken (Abby) of Richmond, UT; brother, Edgar Hess of N. Ogden, UT; a niece, 8 grandchildren, 17 step grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

An interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations to the family to be directed to the Alzhiemer’s Association.