Michael (aka Mr. Wonderful, or as his closest friends knew him, The King) was born July 26, 1964 to Theron Parker Hess and Ruth Lavon Gallacher Hess. He died peacefully with his family by his side at Strawberry Reservoir on June 21, 2015. 
Michael was a graduate of Ben Lomond High School and later attended both the University of Utah and Stevens-Henager College. After graduating, Michael served his country as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army Amphibious Unit. Post-military, the majority of his career was spent in the grocery industry, including Associated Foods, Fleming Foods, Dick Simons and NPS. He was the true definition of a workhorse, rarely ever missing a day and always striving to provide for his family. Mike, as he’s known to his friends and family, was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in his twenties where he married, then later divorced, Deborah Ann Corwell, having his only child, Michelle K. Hess. Mike remained in Salt Lake City until his final year of life. He ultimately moved to Tooele, Utah, to live and be closer with his daughter, his princess, as he always referred to her. Michelle recounts her dad as a great role model when it came to giving to others. Dad would give the shirt off his back to help a complete stranger. There wasn’t another soul like him and in his own words, “I’m one of a kind and there’s no one else like me.” Dad loved to makes others laugh and was always good to go for a great story, joke, and or would just break out in a funky dance move. One of his most famous lines was, “You wanna dance?” As we would walk with him you could always expect him to challenge you to a race. My all-time favorite quote is “do you see this face? There’s only one face like this!” In Mike’s spare time, with a drink in hand, he loved to gamble, play golf and bowl. He was always checking the time to ensure he was perched in front of the TV to watch whatever sporting event was on: whether it be basketball, football, baseball or the fights. Mike was so proud of his grandchildren. He was always bragging to anyone that would listen to his stories of their major accomplishments. He tried to be at every event he could and was always the kids’ biggest cheering section, as he truly was their biggest fan. He was so proud of the man Braeden had become when joined the Army, and later becoming a Ranger. He loved watching Thad play football and rugby. The girls, Alexa and Allison, loved to give their grandpa a hard time as often as they could. He would dish it right back to them and then play the victim to Tom and myself. Grandpa loved his grandkids more than anything. Mike is survived by his only daughter, Michelle K. Torgensen and her fiancé Thomas Ryan Miller, ex son-in-law Chad Lane Torgensen, his grandchildren Braeden James Torgensen, Alexa Margurite Torgensen, Thad Michael Torgensen and Allison Lorrine Miller. Even as they were not blood-related, Mike had great respect for his daughter’s siblings and loved to brag about the accomplishments of Shane Kojima, Mindy Kojima and Shawn Kojima. He is also survived by his two brothers, Brent Hess and Randy Hess, with multiple nieces and nephews between the two. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Lavon Gallacher, whom he loved and adored and her parents Kenneth David and Gladys King Gallacher; father Theron Parker Hess and his parents Edward and Ethel Hess; His favorite uncle Tommy, aunt Amy, nephew Christopher Lee Brown, Kay Corwell and nephew Ryan Corwell. You’ll forever be missed, but you’ll forever remain in our hearts and never forgotten. Keep on dancing daddy and look after my babies for me. I love you! In lieu of flowers, the family is taking donations for Dad’s headstone. Please send to 1303 E. 270 South, Tooele, Utah 84074.