Alvin Bess

Alvin R. Bess, 64, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, while vacationing in Gulf Shores, Ala.

He was born July 16, 1947, in Cape Girardeau, to Ernest Virgil and Della Margaret James Bess. He and Judy Cope were married Jan. 22, 1972, at Red Star Baptist Church.

Alvin was a graduate of Central High School and received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

He was a bookkeeper at Raben Tire and the former Richardson Tire on Nash Road. He had previously worked at Bond Enterprises in Marble Hill, Mo., and at P.N. Hirsch on Main Street as a young man. He loved fishing and traveling. He was a former member of First General Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Bess of Cape Girardeau; father-in-law, John Cope of Ironton, Mo.; a sister-in-law, Elaine Webb and husband Howard of Burleson, Texas; a nephew, Bryan Brown and wife Lee of Norfolk, Va.; a grandnephew, Douglas Brown; two grandnieces, Allison and Emma Brown; several aunts; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Luther Rhodes officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the National Kidney Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.