Richard “Dick” Maurice Bess, 80, Colmesneil, Texas, went to be with the Lord, February 4, 2012, at his home. He died from complications related to Parkinson‘s Disease.
Dick was born July 9, 1931, in Lawrence, Kansas, to Mary Faye Wolfe Bess and Clarence Maurice Bess. His family later moved to Beaumont and he graduated in 1949 from French High School where he was an All-District football, baseball, and basketball player. He was named to the All-State basketball team and played in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star game.
Dick attended Texas A&M University on a basketball/baseball scholarship and graduated in the Class of 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was designated a Distinguished Student. Dick also attended Sam Houston State University where he received a Master of Education degree and did additional graduate work in Guidance and Counseling. He served two years in the United States Air Force at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and was discharged as a First Lieutenant.
After teaching for a short time in Tampa, he returned to Beaumont where he was a coach, teacher, and guidance counselor for thirty-five years in the Beaumont Independent School District. During that time, he served two years as president of the Beaumont Classroom Teachers Association. He retired in 1987 and moved to Colmesneil. Dick served as a deacon in Mount Carmel Baptist Church and later at First Baptist Church Colmesneil where he was recognized as Deacon Emeritus when he was unable to serve in a full time capacity. He served many years as the Legislative Chairman for the Tyler County Retired Teachers Association and also served on the Tyler County Tax Appraisal Board.
Dick loved the Lord, traveling, sports, and most of all, his family. Before and after retirement, he and wife, Lucille, traveled extensively plus following all of the grandchildren in their activities no matter how far the distance. He has always been extremely proud of his children and grandchildren but especially when they all accepted Jesus as their Savior and then all completed their college or professional training. His family was his life.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Kirk Maurice Bess, Class of 1981 Texas A&M University; and one grandson, Richard Daniel Martin.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Lucille Cocran Bess; one daughter, Karen Bess Martin and her husband, Mark; one son, Dr. Kyle Bess and his wife, Joy; daughter-in-law, Jan Bess Benton and her husband, Jack; grandchildren, Jacy Bess Bickham and her husband, Micah, Cody Michael Bess and his wife, Jessica, Matthew Maurice Bess and his wife, Stephanie, Laura Bess, Sarah Martin, and Emily Bess Ervin and her husband, Jared; great-grandchildren, Logan Andrew and Landen Richard Primrose, Owen Haley Bickham, and Lachlyn Elivia Bess; niece, Cindy Fredendall and her husband, Dana; sisters-in-law, Jane Wright and Sandy Bramer; and other nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
We would like to express a deep and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Suresh Indupalli, Dr. George Groves, East Texas Home Health, Lakes Area Hospice, Luke and Ginny Calley, and Bill and Fran McAfee for their loving care and friendship to us during Dick‘s illness.
A gathering of his family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m., with his memorial service at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Caney Creek Baptist Church, 1346 East Caney Loop, Chester.
A family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caney Creek Baptist Church, P.O. Box 32, Chester, Texas 75936, or The Association of Former Students, Class of 1953, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840.
