The Rev. John “Jack” Esler Hess, age 80, died Sunday evening, September 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Tennessee. Ralph was a minister member of Maumee Valley Presbytery.
Jack served First Presbyterian Church in Defiance, Ohio for 12 years, starting in September of 1988, and in retirement came back to Maumee Valley. Jack graduated from Point Park Junior College (Pittsburgh, PA) in 1964 with an A.A., from Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA) with a BA in 1966, and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (M.Div.,1970), and was ordained by Pittsburgh Presbytery in February 1970. Following his ordination he served Second Presbyterian Church in Newark, Ohio as Assistant Pastor, and then as pastor of FPC Winchester, Indiana, and FPC Huntington, Indiana, before coming to Defiance.
While serving Maumee Valley, Jack was an active presbyter, serving on our Committee on Ministry (and as chair), the Committee on Administration, and various other assignments including Administrative Commissions. But it was his chaplaincy and community outreach that will truly be remembered, serving as chaplain for various law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the communities where he ministered. This included serving with the ICPC and FFC after 9/11 in New York City.
In retirement, Jack returned to Defiance and served as a volunteer chaplain for the United States Secret Service, and in 2019 was appointed assistant chaplain for the Defiance County Sheriff Department.
Jack is survived by his son Eric of Defiance, daughter Jennifere (Chuck) Blaylock of Cleveland, and many grandchildren and one great-grandson.
