Jack C. Bess, son of the late W. L. Bess and Dora Napier Bess, was born on May 16, 1921 on a farm near Bloomfield, Missouri and departed this life on June 8, 2014 at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 93.

He was united in marriage to Pauline Gunter on May 30, 1942.  Mrs. Bess survives at the home.

He was an organizer and President of Puxico State Bank, serving twenty years.  He was founder and owner of Bess Grain & Fertilizer Company, 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 Theatre receiving three battle stars.

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

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Bess; by four grandchildren, Todd Bess of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Bami Parsons of Clearwater, Florida, Cindy and Randy Martin of Puxico, Missouri and Ashley Bess of St. Louis, Missouri; and by two great-grandchildren, Jarrett Martin of Puxico, Missouri and Jacie Parsons of Clearwater, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his son, Warren (Jerry) Bess, his parents, five brothers and six sisters.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, June 13, 2014 from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.  Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. with Rev. Kevin Coffey officiating.  Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

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