Jacob Albert “Jay” Kress, 93, of Hillsboro died Feb. 20, 2017, at Fountainbleau Nursing Home in Festus. Mr. Kress was a dentist who operated a practice in St. Louis County and, along with his father, also operated a grocery store in the area. Later, he taught at St. Louis University and Washington University dental schools. In 1960, he purchased a farm on Glade Chapel Road in Hillsboro, on which he built a house and barns, and where in 1999 he founded the Kress Farm Garden Club. He and his partner also built a house in Antonia and restored several apartments and home in south St. Louis. He was active in 4-H Club, St. Louis Arts and Imperovements Inc., and the North St. Louis Development Association.
Born April 28, 1923, in Piqua, Kan., he was the youngest of eight children of the late Jacob and Katherine (Koester) Kress. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a company clerk, stenographer and court reporter.
He is survived by his close friend, Bill and Delia Cannon of Festus, as well as a host of other friends.
He was preceded in death by his partner: Wally Lorella; and seven siblings: Josephine, Teresa, Genevieve, Herman, Mary, William and Jerome.
Visitation is at 11 a.m. and a funeral service is scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins, in Festus, officiated by Deacon Jerry Stoverink. Burial is in the Shepherd Hills Cemetery in Barnhart. Memorials may be made to the Kress Farm garden preserve, 5137 Glade Chapel Road, Hillsboro, 63050. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.