Danny Hart Vess
Mr. Danny Hart Vess, age 77, of Covington, died Wednesday, February 14, 2024. at Lewis Gale Hospital-Alleghany, Low Moor. He was the husband of the late Joan Elizabeth Stone Vess.
Mr. Vess was born on January 9, 1947, in Covington, Virginia, the son of the late Enos “Buck” Vess and Florence Hart Vess. Danny was raised in Covington and graduated from Covington High School in 1965. While in high school, Danny was an avid participant in the Arts. He was in Band, Choir, and had roles in his high school drama productions.
Mr. Vess went on to Virginia Polytechnic Institute after high school and from there was drafted into the United States Marine Corp in 1968. Danny fought in the Vietnam War until November 1969.
After returning home from the war, Mr. Vess tried multiple career paths before getting a job as a technician in the Instrumentation Department at West Rock (formerly MeadWestvaco).
Danny retired from West Rock after 35 years of service.
Mr. Vess was a lifetime member of Granbury Memorial United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir, played guitar, and sang in the praise teams. Danny enjoyed participating in the local art productions in our area. He was known as “Possum” Vess in the local minstrel shows for many years and the Zany Follies. In Danny’s younger years, he was in a band where he played guitar and sang in local places like the Covington Moose Lodge. At that time he co-authored a song named “Pink Toilet Paper.” Many of his friends and family have heard Danny perform this song and enjoyed his silliness. When Danny wasn’t engaged in his musical pursuits, you could find him woodworking in his wood shops or setting up his model trains.
Mr. Vess is survived by two daughters, Allison Vass (William) and Amy Vess Melvin (Randy Lee); four grandchildren, Katie-Lee Melvin (Nicholas Davis), Bethany Vass, Evelyn Melvin, and Nathaniel Melvin; and three great grandchildren, Silas Hart Davis, Oliver Davis, Suzanne Davis.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2:30 P.M Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church with Pastor Brian Boettcher officiating.
The family will receive friends and family on Saturday evening from 3:00 P.M until 5:30 P.M at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 W. Main Street, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Vess’s memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.