LINDSAY

Mr. Paul Hess

Paul Hess, known to many as Paulie or PJ, was born June 26, 1942 to Henry and Rose Hess. Paul grew up on a farm south of Lindsay with seven siblings. Growing up, Paul worked on the family farm and picked cotton. While attending school in Lindsay, Paul participated in sports and 4-H showing livestock. He graduated in 1961 from Lindsay High School. After graduation, Paul worked in the oil field. In 1967, Paul and his brother Henry purchased Tony Dieter’s garage on Maple Street.  Paul worked as a mechanic in that garage until 1972 when he began Hess Trucking. His business began with transporting hay and grain for dairy farmers in Cooke and surrounding counties. Paul’s son Gary joined the business in the 90’s. As dairy farms began to close, the business expanded to transporting materials for companies across the United States. Throughout the decades, Hess Trucking provided numerous high school students employment in the summer months hauling hay for local farmers.

Paul married Shirley Reiter in February 1963. Paul and Shirley were members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. They made their home in Lindsay until 1973 when they moved north of town. They had five children, Stacey, Gary, Rudy and Leslie Hess and Sherry Wolf. In September 1976, Paul’s wife passed unexpectedly. Left with five children to raise and a business to run, Paul leaned heavily on his faith, family, and community. While his sisters helped care for the youngest of his children, the school and community assisted by providing meals for the family. Paul attributes his ability to make it through those difficult times to his faith and all of the support he received from the community. Paul married Lillian Fisher in April 1978. They met when Paul’s mother-n-law arranged for Lillian to help take care of the children. They were blessed with one son, Lambert Hess. Paul and Lillian have 24 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids. Many of whom have graduated from or are currently attending Lindsay ISD.
Throughout the decades, Paul has shared his blessings with numerous organizations, including Lindsay 4-H and FFA, St. Peter’s Church, numerous local volunteer fire departments, and individual benefits.   

Today, Paul continues to enjoy working daily at his business. Paul and Lillian also fill their days attending their grandchildren’s school events and spending time at “his little piece of heaven” in Oklahoma.

 Paul appreciates this recognition. He contributes his success in life to hard work and his faith in God. He is grateful for all that the Lindsay community has done for him and his family over the years. In his words, “a country boy can survive with the help of God, family and community.”