Roger R. Hess, 82, of Ray, OH, passed at 6:15 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 in Hospice of Central Ohio at the Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center following a brief courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

He was born to the late Jay and Verda M. Jenkins Hess on December 8, 1943, at his family home where he lived his entire life and raised his family.  On January 17, 1966 in Clintwood, VA, he married the former Janet L. Kirk who survives.  Together, they celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Also surviving are son, Darren (Andrea) Hess, of Ray; a daughter, Julie Hess, of Columbus; grandchildren, Sean Hess, Samantha Boyd, Bailey (Seth Jude) Bradley; great grandchildren, Sylvia Hess and Trevor Blanton; a brother-in-law, Craig (Billie) Kirk, of Chillicothe; a special aunt, Marjorie Hammond, of Chillicothe; a nephew, Dale (Connie) Hess, of Griffith, IN; special lifelong friends, Brennon Triplett, "Smitty" and Dick Hatfield; and his faithful companion, his dog, Louie.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Daniel Hess; a brother and sister-in-law, Jay E. and Maxine Hess; nephews, Don Hess and Chuck Hess; and a brother-in-law, David Kirk, Sr.

Roger was a 1962 graduate of Southeastern High School.  He went to work at WearEver Aluminum where he served a 4-year apprenticeship program to become a Tool and Die Maker.  He retired from the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant where he had worked as a Machinist and eventually as a QC Inspector for 29 years.  He had served in the United States Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971.  Roger was a wonderful, kind and caring husband, father, grandfather and father-in-law.  He will be dearly missed.

The family would like to extend a special "thank you" to the staff on the 14th and 15th floor of The James especially Dr. Kahn, Dr. D and Dr. Brammer.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2026 in Richmond Dale United Methodist Church with Pastor Lou Watson officiating.  Friends may call at the Church from 1 to 3 p.m. prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Dale United Methodist Church - c/o Jeannie Dailey - 332 Massie Avenue - Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 or to the OSU Foundation - In Memory of Roger Hess - Multiple Myeloma Research Fund Number 306144 – P.O. Box 736096 – Chicago, IL 60673-6096.

You may sign his online register at warefh.com