Jack Bess

Jack C. Bess, 93, of Cape Girardeau departed this life Sunday, June 8, 2014, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born May 16, 1921, on a farm near Bloomfield, Missouri, son of W.L. and Dora Napier Bess. He and Pauline Gunter were married May 30, 1942.

Jack was an organizer and president of Puxico State Bank 20 years. He was founder and owner of Bess Grain and Fertilizer Co., also owning farming interests in Stoddard County.

He served his country honorably in the United States Army Infantry, retiring as a staff sergeant with the 30th Infantry Division. He served in the European Theater and received three battle stars.

Jack was a member of VFW and American Legion, 50-year member of Masonic Lodge and a member of Egypt Temple Shriners in Tampa, Florida. At the time of his death, Jack was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline Bess; four grandchildren, Todd Bess of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Bami Parsons of Clearwater, Florida, Cindy (Randy) Martin of Puxico, Missouri, and Ashley Bess of St. Louis; and two great-grandchildren, Jarrett Martin of Puxico and Jacie Parsons of Clearwater.

He was preceded in death by a son, Warren "Jerry" Bess; his parents; five brothers; and six sisters.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. until service time Friday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kevin Coffey officiating. Interment will be in Dexter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, 1 University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Please include: "The Jack and Pauline Bess Scholarship" in the memo line of the check.