Gary Douglas Hess' Obituary
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to Anne Arundel Medical Center DeCasaris Cancer Institute, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 443-481-1000.
GARY DOUGLAS HESS
August 28, 1950 – September 11, 2018
Gary Hess was a very special man. He died on September 11, 2018 in the arms of his devoted wife, Toni. Cancer ended Gary’s life after a 3½ - year fight.
Gary loved life itself, a great steak and a really cold martini. He loved “Topper” his buddy and four-legged guardian. He loved to watch old movies, rodeos, car auctions, boxing, and even movies that made his wife cry. He loved the lakes region in New England and he and his wife spent most of their vacations in this area. He treasured time with his friends and family from the west coast to Maryland, at Kezar Lake in Maine, Lake Winnipesauke, New Hampshire, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He adored his wife of 31 years. Not necessarily in that order. He hated vegetables, people who lied, a lawn not edged, and dirty cars. Not necessarily in that order.
Gary was born in Long Beach, California where he graduated from Millikan High School and was a computer scientist major at Long Beach City College. In 1970, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves, was decorated as Specialist 5 and Sharpshooter, and awarded Honorable Discharge in 1976. Gary graduated from the Los Angeles Police Academy and became a Los Angeles Police Officer in 1972. Gary received numerous commendations as a police officer and recognition for his, “Outstanding application of police tactics, personal courage and perseverance in a high stress situation”; “Excellent investigative techniques”; and “Outstanding appearance and physical ability.” It wasn’t long before an elite investigative team named “CRASH” recruited Gary where he was involved in hundreds of criminal, gang-related homicides, intelligence gathering and task force surveillance in Southwest Los Angeles. In addition to his investigations, Gary led neighborhood watch programs and conducted public speaking events to help those living in dangerous areas. He was at the heart of danger many times, including the SLA shootout with the L.A.P.D. in 1974, bullets whizzing by him. It was this training that made meeting Toni’s dad many years later a piece of cake. After his time on the police force, Gary evolved into being a business owner, and a return to the computer industry. A software company in Maryland recruited Gary and moved he and his wife to Maryland in 1996. Gary was the Eastern Regional Manager for Group1 Software, where he managed multi-million dollar development projects. He was a teacher, coach and mentor to many throughout his career. Gary retired from the federal government in 2017.
Known affectionately as Doogs by his sister, she and Gary’s brother all shared wonderful memories of childhood summers spent on their family’s ranches in Eastern Oregon. This was a very special place for Gary that brought him comfort during his life. His love and genuine respect for his aunt and uncle shined in his eyes whenever he reminisced about the values he learned through his experiences on a working ranch. Recent visits from his sister from Montana, and his brother and his wife from Southern California are in Gary and Toni’s hearts forever. Gary has two daughters and his one grandson who also live in Southern California.
Gary was an honest, loving and generous man. He was strong in his character but kind, always knew who he was, and a romantic and a gentleman. Always exquisitely dressed, he was the first to open a door for a lady, child or elderly person. He was a man’s man too. And, he loved to get dirty. He loved his cars and truck, and all looked like they just came off the showroom floor. Gary could fix just about everything, was the ultimate landscaper, raced motorcycles back in the day along the Pacific Ocean in Baja California, loved to sail with dear friends, and his barbeque was amazing. To one friend, he and his wife were also known as Nick & Nora Charles for the obvious love that they shared and for Gary’s raw humor. Many will miss the joy of him, but no one will miss him as much as his loving wife, Toni.
Who loves you baby? You do. (9/11/2018)
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