Earl Franklin Hessong

Earl Franklin Hessong of San Antonio, TX died November 26, 2021 at the age of 85. He was born on December 14, 1935 in Nowata, OK to the late Cloyd Hessong and Ruby Marie Handy. His older brother, Richard Hessong, his oldest daughter, Terri Hessong, his sister-in-law Linda Terrell, and his brother-in-law Curtis Cates, also preceded him in death. Earl graduated from Banquete High School in Banquete, TX and Texas A&I University in Kingsville (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville), earning a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in History. He earned his Master of Education degree at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
Son, brother, teacher, coach, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. These are just the highlights of a longer list of titles that Earl could claim. Throughout his life he connected with many different people and left them better off for knowing him. We will all miss him for his love, kindness, and genuine attention.
Earl devoted his life to God, his family, and teaching. He coached and taught at various high schools in the San Antonio area before spending more than 30 years teaching social studies and history at Sul Ross Middle School in the Northside School District. He was passionate about the study of history and enjoyed taking visitors on tours of the Missions and other historical sites around San Antonio.
In retirement, Earl enjoyed traveling with his wife, reading (Louis L’Amour and Tony Hillerman being his favorite authors), watching sports (especially baseball), and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzanna Terrell Hessong, one son, Steven Hessong; two daughters, Sharon Hessong (Peter), and Donna Hessong (Travis); three granddaughters, Jennifer Droke (Paul), Paulamarie Kemp (Samuel), and Sydney Hessong-Nedrich; three grandsons, Kenneth Gonzales (Alexandria), Andrew Droke, and Tallon Hessong; two sisters, Mary Wood (Robert) and Marilyn Cates; one sister-in-law, one sister-in-law, Annette Hessong; 7 great-grandchildren; 5 nephews, 3 nieces, and eight great-nieces and nephews.