Pictured Left to Right: B. J. Hanneman, Rani Dillow, Mayor David Rutledge, David Ess, Lori Ess, Eastynn Borg, Lucy Fields, Kirk Roccaforte, Candice Mulhollan, Braden Borg, K’Lynn Borg, Beverly Mixson, Kember Ess, and Tod Mixson.

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce held its second annual Father of the Year Contest and received several nominations, all of which were for very deserving fathers. After careful consideration by the Father of the Year Committee, David Ess was awarded the honor. Mr. Ess was presented his gifts at the Bridge City Chamber’s June Networking Coffee hosted by Granger Chevrolet where Mayor David Rutledge read aloud the City of Bridge City’s official proclamation naming David Ess as 2018 Father of the Year.

David Ess was born in West Virginia to Dwayne and the late Betty Ess.

His siblings are brother Bo Worrell, sister Cindy Rao, sister Debbie Hornaday, and late sister Diane Updike.

David attended Bridge City ISD graduating in 1981.

After graduation, Ess attended Alvin Junior College on a basketball scholarship afterwards attending Lamar University graduating with a degree in Business.

In 1990 David married the love is life Lori and they have two daughters, K’Lynn Borg age 26 and Kember Ess age 14.

The light of David’s life is his granddaughter Eastynn Borg who just turned 1 in May. He was nominated by daughter’s K’Lynn and Kember who’s nomination, in part, read “Our Father has always stuck with us, with his held high and his eyes on God, and as a family we are honestly so fortunate to have in him our lives.” In 1999, David was diagnosed with melanoma, the doctors gave him only six months to live.

Being the fighter that he is, he beat the odds and four years later hasn’t had any problems or reoccurrences leaving the doctors in awe.

He is currently in a commercial that began airing in May for MD Anderson.

David is not only a dedicated family man who is called “My Family’s Rock” by daughters K’Lynn and Kember, but he also cares about his fellow man.

Each year Ess sponsors the Bridge City High School Strutters golf tournament which is named after him.

He is also active in supporting the local 4-H program and Girls Haven as well as donating to several other charities.

After receiving his award, Ess said, “I hope I am an example to everyone.

It is so simple to do something nice for somebody else when you can.

My wife and I have a little saying that God will give you a sign and it’s pretty simple, just open you’re your eyes and you’ll have plenty of opportunities and it will come back to you tenfold.” In his spare time, David enjoys golf, relaxing at the beach, and time with family, especially granddaughter Eastynn.

David received over $1000 worth of gift certificates and prizes from the Bridge City Chamber and these generous sponsors: Auto Lube Bridge City, Balancing Life LLC Virtual Staffing Solutions, Energy Country Ford, Evans Tree and Stump Work, FreshPrep LLC, Las Rosas Mexican Restaurant Bridge City, Candace Mulhollan-RE/MAX ONE, Neches Federal Credit Union, OhainWEB.com, Gene Dupuis-Open Mortgage, Rani Dillow-Westin Mortgage Group, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Sabine River Ford, and Tiger Rock Martial Arts Bridge City.

In addition to receiving great gifts from local businesses, the Father of the Year will receive dignitary status in the Bridge City Christmas Light Parade and be recognized at the Bridge City Chamber’s Annual Banquet.