Artist and educator Stanley Otto Hess passed away March 9th, 2019, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 95. Stan was born into a family of 9 children in Weatherford, OK on July 8th, 1923 and grew up in Anadarko, where he attended St. Patrick's Indian Mission and the public high school. During World War 2, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division (1943-1946) and survived the battle of the Villa Verde Trail in the Philippines. After the war, Stan returned to Oklahoma where he met and married Mildred "Millie" Elmenhorst, a student nurse, on January 26, 1948.

Stan studied art at the University of Oklahoma, where he encountered renowned artists Oscar Brousse Jacobsen and Emilio Amero. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1948 and a Master of Fine Arts in 1950. In his early career, Stan taught at OU (1949-1950) and at William Woods College in Fulton, MO (1951). He then began a long and distinguished career as a professor of art at Drake University in Des Moines, IA where he and Millie raised a family of 6. They retired together to Tulsa in 1985.

Following Millie's death in 1991, Stan married Joanne Meillier and spent his later years in her company. Joanne survives him, along with his stepdaughters Lynn Hall (David) and Kris Shipman (Dale), and their children and grandchildren. In addition, Stan is survived by his brothers Jim and Bill, and by 5 children from his first marriage: Patricia, Catherine, Rebecca Herman (Jack), Mary Nash (Bob) and Mike. Stan's eldest son, Tom (Jan), preceded him in death. Stan also leaves 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Stan lived large as a teacher, muralist, painter, woodworker, and craftsman of furniture and musical instruments. He was recognized with numerous honors and awards throughout his lifetime. But Stan also enjoyed traveling, crossword puzzles, wine and cheese at 4 o'clock, intellectual conversation, a full family table, and walking with friends at the mall in Tulsa. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial Mass is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2019 2:00PM at Church of The Resurrection 4804 S. Fulton Ave. Tulsa, Oklahoma