GOSHEN – Donald Lee “Pete” Vess, 96, of Marble Valley Rd., Goshen, passed away Monday, November 4, 2024.

Pete was born in Rockbridge County on November 19, 1927 to Elmer Stuart Vess and Irene (Burke) Vess. He graduated from Goshen High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, Pete split his energy between several ventures: he was a logger, a sawmill operator, and the owner and operator of a construction company. As he began to amass his own collection of heavy equipment, he was also responsible for moving homes from Lehigh Cement Company to numerous locations in the town of Craigsville.

For over 50 years he owned and operated Vess Equipment with his first wife (which is now operated by his grandson Jamie Hensley). He was also a beef-cattle and crop farmer. Pete was absolutely devoted to his work - he was even known to sleep in his truck! He was a member of Little River Church of the Brethren and more recently attended Deerfield Church of God.

Pete was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Naomi Virginia (Sprouse) Vess; a sister, Dorothy Desper; a brother, Elmer “June” Vess; and a grandson, Scott Vess.

He is survived by his second wife, Patricia Ruth (Sims) Vess; three children, Rev. Virginia Lee Pruitt and husband Rev. C. M. Pruitt of Fredericksburg, Judith Hensley and husband Phillip Hensley of Lexington, and Donald “Duck” Vess and wife Phyllis Wenger Vess of Craigsville; two step children, Alexander Boyd Moore and Christine Elizabeth Hawkins; five grandchildren, Jamie Hensley and wife Amy Hensley, Jonathan Hensley and wife Amanda Hensley, Dena Pruitt Dorfman and husband Dave Dorfman, Regina Pruitt, and Brian Vess and wife Julie Vess; and two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Milly Hensley.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, November 8 in the chapel of Bear Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. C. M. Pruitt, Rev. Virginia Pruitt, and Rev. Merle Dodson. Burial will follow in Estaline Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rick Hughes, Steve Shiflet, Wayne Desper, Tommy Humphries, Doug Thompson, Mason Warren, Joseph B. Graham, Jr. and James W. Ramsey.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bear Funeral Home.

The family is grateful to Hospice of the Shenandoah and also to Christine Hawkins for their dedicated care and support.

Memorials may be directed to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah.

Condolences may be directed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.