Deacon August Hesse III: 1940-2016

Canyon—Deacon August Hesse III, a member of the third class of Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Amarillo, passed away Oct. 28. He was 76 years old.
 
Mass was celebrated Nov. 4, St. Ann’s Church, Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, presiding, with Father Robert A. Busch, Ph.D., pastor, concelebrating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Dalhart. Military honors provided by Volleys for Veterans.
 
August Hesse III was born on May 4, 1940 in Dalhart, the son of August Hesse Jr. and Cheniel Hawkins Hesse. He graduated from Dalhart High School in 1958. Hesse graduated from Panhandle A&M College (now Oklahoma Panhandle State University) in Goodwell, Okla. with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry in May 1963. Shortly after his graduation, he also received a Commission in the United States Army.
 
While in college, Hesse met Barbetta Hays. The couple were united in marriage on Aug. 27, 1962 in Guymon, Okla.
 
Hesse retired as a Lt. Colonel from the United States Army. While serving his country, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf clusters, the Purple Heart and many other honors.
 
In December 1981, Hesse received a Masters of Agriculture degree from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University) in Canyon.
 
On July 23, 1988, Hesse was ordained a Permanent Deacon by then-Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen at St. Ann’s Church. According to diocesan records, he served as a deacon at St. Ann’s until he retired in 2009.
 
Hesse was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of Knights of Columbus Council #7840 at St. Ann’s Church and a past Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and a past member of the board of directors of Catholic Family Services (now Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle).
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Mary Lou Hesse and Jamie Joe Hesse.
 
Survivors include his wife, Barbetta Hesse; two sons, August Hesse IV and Charles Hesse, both of Canyon; a sister, Becky Mitchell and her husband Jerry of Dalhart; a brother, Jason Hesse and his wife Melody of Canyon; three nephews, Jody Mitchell, Justin Hesse and Jarod Hesse; two nieces, Jamie Gillispie and Jocelyn De Villiers; and numerous great nieces and great nephews.