Leroy H. Hess Jr., age 88, of Tomahawk, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Tomahawk Health Services under the care of his family and Compassus Hospice. Leroy was born in Tomahawk on Dec. 13, 1933, to the late Leroy and Ellen Hess. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years and the National Guard for 22 years. He was married to Carrie Burton on Sept. 1, 1956; she preceded him in death on Jan. 13, 2011.
Leroy attended school in Tripoli, Wis. After high school, he joined the Navy and traveled the world, including serving in the Korean War. Leroy met Carrie Lou Burton in Kodiak, Alaska, and the two married in Seattle, Wash. Leroy and Carrie had six children and resided in Washington, Texas and Wisconsin. The couple lived in the Tomahawk area for 15 years, where he was employed as a welder at Northland Stainless. They eventually retired before moving to Cumberland, Wis. After Carrie’s passing, Leroy lived with his son and daughter-in-law for 10 years in Grantsburg, Wis., before returning to Tomahawk in his final months. Leroy enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a talented woodworker. Above all, he loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include his sons, Randy (Sue) Hess, of Grantsburg, Wis., John (Gemma) Hess, of the Philippines, and Dan Hess, of Montana; his daughters, Sherrie (Fred) Lovato, of Texas, and Caroline (Steve) Greil, of Tomahawk; his brother, Lawrence Hess, of Danbury, Wis.; his sisters, Joyce Jones, Darlene Johnson, Jeanie Jensen, Laurel (Pfeiffer) Fullenwider, Aleta (Bruce) Millen, and Kathy (Floyd) Frazee. Leroy is further survived by 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren with one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Ellen; his wife, Carrie; his son, Larry; his brothers, Billy, David, Arthur, Darold, Gary, and Roger; his sister, Delores Hess; his granddaughter, Cassie Hess; and his great-grandchildren, Easton Hess, Kyle Vadner and Toni Gorecki.
Memorial services for Leroy Hess will be held in the spring and announced at that time. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory, Tomahawk, is assisting the family.