Roger Bess

Roger Dale Bess, age 73, of Ashland City, Tennessee, was peacefully called home by his Lord and Savior on May 24th, 2020, after a long and arduous battle with COPD and Alzheimer’s disease.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30th, 2020 at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Bess officiating.

Roger’s family will receive friends Friday, May 29, 2020 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Roger was born August 1, 1946 in Nashville, Tennessee, and lived there until he moved to Ashland City, Tennessee on June 30, 1994 where he resided with his wife, Patricia, until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orvan Almer Bess and Flora Irene Henderson Bess; his sister, Juanita Bess; two brothers, Harold Bess and Gary Bess; and grandson, Nathan Blunkall.

Mr. Bess went to work for Vanderbilt University in 1969 and remained a dedicated and devoted employee for 46 years until his retirement in 2015. He gave his all to an institution that he admired and loved, gaining the respect and admiration of his many colleagues throughout his journey from an entry level position in the Power Plant, providing steam and heat to both the Campus and Medical Center, to finally retiring as Superintendant of Vanderbilt University’s Infrastructure and High Voltage.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Fortenberry Bess; sons, Tim (Jeri) Bess of Hendersonville, TN, and Charlie (Alison) Manning of Harrogate, TN; daughters, Penny (Harold) Blunkall of Old Hickory, TN, and Patty Williams of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Melvin (Ruth) Bess of Goodlettsville, TN, Wesley (Martha) Bess of Nashville, TN, James (Isabel) Bess of Nashville, TN, and David (Jennifer) Bess of Hermitage, TN.

He loved God, his family, his home, his music and could never say “no” to anyone who needed his help. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. This world will be a sadder place without him in it.

Condolences may be made online at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com