DODGE CITY - Jerry Leroy Hessman, 78, died Saturday, May 21, 2022, at his home in Dodge City. He was born January 23, 1944, in Dodge City to Fred and Roberta (Herman) Hessman.

He attended elementary school at Sacred Heart in Dodge City and graduated high school from St. Mary of the Plains School in 1962.

He married Linda Sue Drake on August 29, 1964, in Monte Vista, Colorado and they made their home there before moving back to Dodge City to farm with his father.  He also worked at Hy Plains Dressed Beef and Lynch Feed Yard in Dodge City.  He was a longtime farmer and rancher in the area. Later in life he was an area supervisor for NASDA as an enumerator for 16 years. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren going to ball games and activities. He was a founding and longtime member of the volunteer fire department at Howell. He also served on the Fairview township board for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home; children, Gina Wilson and husband Mike, Dodge City, Tim and wife Heather Hessman, Wichita, Kim and husband Jay Evert, Preston, Pete and wife Sally Hessman, Beaver, Oklahoma, Shane and wife Sheila Hessman, Dodge City, Durk Hessman, Cimarron, Andy and wife Rylene Hessman, Dodge City, Matt and wife Amber Hessman, Minneapolis, Kansas; 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and 2 on the way; his siblings, Linda and Neal Olney, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Tom Hessman, Dodge City, Dr. Bill Hessman, Springfield, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, grandson Drake Evert, two brothers, Bob and Mike Hessman and sister, Jan Nicholas.

Vigil Service will be Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Funeral Mass will be Thursday at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 901 Central Ave., Dodge City with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding. Inurnment will follow at Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place. Friends and family may sign the register from noon to 7:00 pm Wednesday, with family present from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The family suggests memorials to the family in care of the Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com.