Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

James D. Hessman, Editor in Chief of Sea Power Magazine, 1972 to 2005, the official publication of the Navy League of the United States, passed away on April 10 of Alzheimer’s complications. Born January 27, 1932, in Altoona, PA, he graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1950 and Holy Cross College in 1954, doing graduate work at Tulane and George Washington University. He served in the Navy for thirteen years and was Senior Editor of the Armed Forces Journal for six years before moving to Sea Power. He interviewed everyone from the President of the United States to the King of the Zulus and numerous of his articles and editorials have been published in the Congressional Record and/or reprinted by senior service war colleges. 

He is survived by his six children—Elizabeth Ann Hessman (Duke), James D. Hessman (Maria), Norinne Browning (Robb), Kathleen P. Grimes (Dan), Mary M. Hall (Ray), and Timothy (Cindy); nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Shelagh Van Saanen; sister-in-law, Eileen Hessman; and many loving nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Carroll Hessman and his second wife Elizabeth Ortleib Hessman. 

Visitation will be held at KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD, Wednesday, April 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 8908 Old Branch Avenue, Clinton, MD on Thursday, April 27 at 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Father Michael Kelley, St. Martin of Tours Church, 1908 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20002. The family also thanks Nurturing Angels, Heartlands of Severna Park, and Hospice of the Chesapeake for their loving care.      








James D. Hessman

James D. Hessman

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