Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameLindsay B. Hess
Birth12 May 1931, Faith, Rowan County, NC
Death23 Jun 2018, Faith, Rowan County, NC
Burial12 Jul 2018, Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery, Faith, Rowan County, NC
FatherJay Esten Hess (1909-1963)
MotherRuby Kaye Ludwig (1914-2000)
Spouses
Birth9 Feb 1934, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
Death17 Jun 2017, Faith, Rowan County, NC
BurialFaith Lutheran Church Cemetery, Faith, Rowan County, NC
ChildrenBryan “Keith” (1962-2020)
 Jaye Lindsay (1974-2018)
 Infant Son (Died as Infant) (1976-1976)
 Jonathan “Gary”
 Jennie
Notes for Lindsay B. Hess
Lindsay B. Hess

Lindsay B. Hess, 87, of Faith, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 at his home in Faith, NC. 

He was born May 12, 1931 in Faith, NC to the late Jay and Ruby Ludwig Hess. Lindsay was a graduate of Granite Quarry High School. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, a member of Faith American Legion Post 327, the Secret Order of the Quiet Birdmen, a former member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and International Council of Air Shows.

Lindsay was an opera singer turned aviator. He started singing in elementary school plays. He was singing at weddings as a teenager, in the high school glee club, church choirs and community choruses. Voice classes at Catawba College soon followed. He sang with the Salisbury Rowan Choral Society. He was given parts in musicals and light operas in New York. He also worked and sang with the United Service Organization. After learning to fly to commute from Faith to New York, his singing career was put on hold to pursue a career in aviation.

Lindsay earned his instructors rating and was flying for Southeast Aeromotive in Charlotte in the late 50’s when he met his wife Carolyn, an Eastern Airlines Stewardess. He was the FBO at the Rock Hill Airport from 1963-74, and at the Rowan County Airport from 1980-96. He toured the country in the mid 70’s with the Great American Air Show. That led him to being one of the stars of the Great American Air Circus which toured South Africa for 3 months in 1979. He flew air shows at Carowinds from 1975-77, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pre-race show from 1980-83 and the Faith Fourth of July Celebration from 1973-86. In 1975 Lindsay and the late Jim Holland were the first civilian aerobatic team to perform stunts with their planes tied together by a 25 foot piece of rope. In the early 60’s he flew for race car driver Curtis Turner and Jim Neely Enterprises in the early 80’s. He started Food Lion’s aviation program in the early 80’s and flew for them into the mid 90’s. Lindsay retired from aviation at the end of 1996.

In addition to his parents, Lindsay was preceded in death by an infant son; his wife, Carolyn Lassell Hess; son, Jaye Lindsay Hess; sister, Marcia Kay Austin; nephew, Gilbert Jay Austin and brother, David Hess.

Lindsay is survived by his daughter, Jennie Hess Paterno of Salisbury; sons, Bryan Keith Hess of Faith, and Jonathan Gary Hess of Faith; grandson, Dayton Hess; granddaughter, Landrie Hess; brothers, John Hess and wife Lynn of Rockwell, and Terry Hess and wife Doris of Faith; and numerous extended family members. 

The family will greet friends and relatives on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at Powles Staton Funeral Home.

The memorial service will be held at on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 2:00 pm, at Powles Staton Funeral Home, with Alan Hess officiating.

The burial will follow at the Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites provided by the United States Air Force and the Rowan County Honor Guard.

Powles Staton Funeral Home of Rockwell is assisting the Hess family.
Last Modified 28 Jun 2018Created 1 Feb 2024 using Reunion for Macintosh