John "Max" Hess

Obiturary for John "Max" Hess

John "Max" Hess passed away at Loma Linda University Medical Center on April 11, 2023. Due to an acute illness.

Max Hess was born in Red Mountain, California on August 4, 1936 to Max and Frances Hess.

Max was one of the first babies delivered by Dr. Drummond in Red Mountain.

Max graduated from Randsburg High School in 1953 as valedictorian of his high school class. He went on to attend college at Cal State San Bernardino and Pepperdine University.

Max was a member of the Dead Owls car club. (too many stories to tell)

One of his first jobs in Ridgecrest was working for Champs market as store manager. Max also worked for Barbara Ann delivering bread throughout the valley, including the nearby Navy Ordnance Test Station (NOTS).

Max was also a used car sales manager for Bud Eyre for over 40 years until his retirement.

He moved his family to Orange County in 1979 and worked for the Gregory Company in Irvine, Ca until returning back to Ridgecrest to manage and help build Heritage Village.

Max married the love of his life, Dorrine Zurn in 1959, who passed away in 2012.

Max enjoyed taking trips with his wife, Dorrine. They traveled to Switzerland, France, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Canada, St Croix, Virgin Islands, as well as several states within the USA. They especially loved the northern coast.

Max was very well-known in Randsburg, Ridgecrest and all of the Indian Wells Valley.

Max was such a kind and caring person to everyone. He was always helping people in need. He knew how to make people laugh and make people feel good. He was surely a good soul.

Max was very involved in the Catholic Church of St. Anns. He was a member of Legion of Mary and St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Max loved sports. His favorite teams were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, Rams and UCLA. He was very avid in his children's sports, whether it be coaching or sitting in the stands. He also loved watching all of his grandchildren sports and activities. Nothing made him more excited than watching them play. He never missed any of their basketball or football games.

Max Hess is preceded in death by his wife, Dorrine, father Max Hess, mother Frances Hess, and sister Sally Kelly.

Max is survived by his children, Michael, Theresa, Vince and Joseph (Resa) Hess.

Max is survived by his beloved grandchildren, who he was so very proud of; Andrew Hess, Jacob (Jennifer) Hess, Amber (Jeff) Hultman, Kaitlin (David) LaFromboise, Niko (Jordan) Hess, Anthony Hess, Austin Hess, Allie (Mitch) Maddox, Annaleigh (Braedon) Bean, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Max is also survived by brother-in-law, Ken (Linda) Zurn, sister-in-law, Pat Harris, sister-in-law Bonnie Gregory and numerous nieces and nephews.

Max will be deeply missed by his family and many, many good friends.

A rosary will be held at Holland & Lyons Mortuary, April 26 at 5:00. Private visitation from 4:00 until 5:00. Family and friends are welcome for visitation from 5:00 until 7:00.

The funeral mass will be held April 27 at 10:00 at St. Ann Catholic Church with burial to follow at Desert Memorial Park.

Reception will be following at the Monsignor Kevin Cleary Parish Hall.