Karl Hess

After being raised as a military brat and living all over the country, Karl’s family settled in Ft. Worth, TX,
where he was raised and spent most of his life. He was raised, baptized, and confirmed in the Episcopal
church; his father, after retiring from thirty years in the Air Force, received the call to the priesthood,
went to seminary, and was ordained as an Episcopal priest.

Karl graduated from Texas A&M University. At A&M, after entertaining the idea of becoming a high-
school math teacher, he instead got a degree in Computer Science, and worked for 37 years as a
software engineer and information technology project manager. His wife, Becky, grew up in the
bootheel area, and attended Southeast Missouri State. It was always their intention to retire in Missouri,
so in 2011 they purchased their future retirement house in Jackson.

Karl received the Holy Spirit as an adult, and began attending First Baptist Church in Keller, TX, near their
home. While there, he had the opportunity to teach adult Sunday school, and also a weekly men’s bible
study group. He was also honored to be ordained a deacon.

Early in 2022, Karl “permanently” retired, settled in Jackson, and became a member Lynwood Baptist
Church, where he is still active. In August of 2022, after hearing of the need for a math and science
teacher, he offered his services as a substitute teacher. Soon after that, he found, to his delight, that he
was now teaching junior high science. After almost 50 years, he finally got the teaching opportunity that
he had once wanted; he considers it both a blessing and a ministry.

His favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. He currently lives in
Jackson with his wife Becky and two rescue beagles. They have two children and five grandchildren, all
living in Texas.