Gary Karl Hess, 78, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Born on September 3, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio, to Melvin and Violet Hess, Gary graduated from Clay High School in 1965. After serving three tours of duty with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he built a lifelong career as a horticulturalist and later owned and operated Mel's Greenhouse and Nursery in Oregon, Ohio, the family business his father founded in 1946.

Gary married Carey Hess on October 4, 1968, in Falls Church, Virginia. Together they raised two children, Julie Anne Hess and Timothy Karl Hess.

Gary will be remembered for his devotion to family, his steady work ethic, and his deep love of the outdoors. He found joy in gardening, plants, animals, boating and fishing on Lake Erie, drumming, skiing, billiards, woodworking, and golf.

He took great pride in Mel's Greenhouse and Nursery, a 55-year family business on Brown Road in Oregon, Ohio, started by his father in 1946, where he worked, raised his family, and carried forward his father's legacy.

Gary is survived by his wife, Carey Hess; his son, Timothy Karl Hess of Charlottesville, Virginia; and his daughter-in-law, Suzanne Hess. He is also survived by his cousin and close friend David Brown and wife Carolyn

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Violet Hess, and his daughter, Julie Anne Hess.

The family will greet friends at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Rd., Oregon, Ohio 43616, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. The family will also greet friends on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 611 Woodville Rd., Toledo, Ohio 43605 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Toledo, Ohio.

Memorial donations may be made in Gary's name to: St. Mark Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio, at http://www.stmarktoledo.com, or to Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice House at Non-Profit Hospice - Community Gifts - Hospice Fund - Hospice of the Piedmont.