Eugene Charles Hess

Eugene Charles Hess, 74, of Charleston, SC, loving husband of the late Patricia Ann Ray Hess, was called to heaven on Saturday, January 23, 2016. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and compassion of family and friends. The relatives and friends of Mr. Eugene C. Hess are invited to attend his Memorial Service at 6:30 PM Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until the time of service. Burial will be private. Gene was born on April 30, 1941, in Carbondale, PA, a son of Floyd Jacob Hess and Anna Mae Carey Hess. He grew up the oldest son of five children and attended Saint Rose Elementary and Benjamin Franklin High School. He served proudly in the Air Force, stationed in Charleston, South Carolina from 1959 to 1963. On May 11th 1963, he married the love of his life Patricia Ann Ray. They were married for 53 years. Gene was an exceptionally hard worker, who never missed a day of work at Gerald's Tires and Brakes, in Charleston. He was beloved by all his fellow employees and customers at Gerald's, whom he considered family. Gene was best known for his great sense of humor and love of practical jokes. Gene enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and doting on his grandkids and great grandchild. Gene and Pat had three children. Gene is survived by his family: Daughter, Anna Mae and her deceased husband Tom Van Dyke, daughter Tina and her husband Chris Salter, son Jason and his wife Sue Hess; his aunt Dolores McCollum; his cousin Darlene Tatman and her husband Ted Tatman; his sister, Kathleen Malia and her husband Joseph; his brother, David and his wife Marleen Hess; his sister-in-law, Loraine Calabrese, his brother-in-law, Tony Ray and his wife Glenda; seven grandchildren, Nichole and her husband Brandon, Dillon, Corey, Lauren, Tyler, Hayes, and Holden; five step grandchildren, Christopher, Kyle, AJ, Adam and Leila; his great granddaughter, Brianna Mae; many nieces and nephews; former sons-in-law Tim Weaver, Steve Ray, and Michael Carter; former daughter-in-law Michelle Hess; and best friends, Bill Sharpe and Barbara, Melvin, Shelly, and Melanie Phillips. He is preceded in death by his soulmate, Patricia, his parents, his sister, Beatrice Hess Rizzi, his brother, James, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Clayton and Mary Ray, his sister-in-law Betty Monks and her husband Dave.