Virgil Raymond Suess
January 13, 1931 - December 22, 2026
OBITUARY
Virgil Raymond Suess was born on January 13, 1931 and went to be with the Lord on December
22, 2025 at the age of 94 years. Virgil was born and lived the first twelve years of life on a small
farm near Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. Virgil, his six siblings and parents relocated to Lodi,
California where he lived most of his life. He attended Needham School, graduated from Lodi
High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Virgil was preceded in death by his wife Verla Suess; parents Edwin and Freda Suess; four
brothers - Forrest, Leroy, Reuben and Ivan; one sister, Ramona Ottman; and grandson Aaron
Morris. Virgil is survived by his son Skip Suess and wife Denise; daughter Wendy Morris and
husband Don; brother Kelly Suess; grandchildren Kendra Morris; Cameron Morris; Ryan Suess;
Rachel Davidson; Rebecca Suess; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Virgil met and began dating Verla Hochhalter when he was 18 and she was 15 and were
engaged when Verla started her senior year of high school. Upon her graduation from high
school, off she went, by herself, to England, where Virgil was stationed and the two were
married. After his discharge from the service, the couple moved back to Lodi. Virgil began a
lifelong career working for his father-in-law Ted Hochhalter at Lodi Nut Company and later
became owner with his brother Kelly. Together they ran the business overseeing employees
and plant operations. Virgil and Kelly later started ShellPro, a walnut shell grinding business.
After selling Lodi Nut Company and retiring in 2011, his wife Verla died unexpectedly. Virgil
soon moved to St. Petersburg, Florida to live closer to his daughter Wendy and lived there until
his death.
Virgil was a hard worker and respected leader, boss, and businessman. While working at the
Lodi Nut Company, Virgil took on night classes at Humphrey College in Stockton, CA, completing
his Associate Arts degree in business. He prided himself in saying “he was a jack of all skills and
master of none!” He was self-taught in electrical work, welding, carpentry, mechanic work and
was able to do whatever needed to be done to keep machinery working and the plant
operational.
Virgil loved traveling and vacationing with Verla, both abroad and visiting their daughter’s
family in Florida and their son’s family in Washington. Family was a very important part of his
life and he was loved deeply by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Virgil
had a deep personal faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He served the Lord faithfully as
choir director, Sunday School teacher, deacon and held numerous church leadership positions.
He was active and enjoyed his involvement in the Lodi Rotary Club and served a term as club
president. He had a lifelong love for music, singing in the church choir and playing the baritone
in the Lodi Community Band until moving to Florida.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Suess family.
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