July 25, 1928 – Dec. 24, 2018

NATCHEZ — Services for Dr. John Carl Passman Jr., 90, of Natchez, who died Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, at his residence, will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Joan Gandy officiating.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from noon until service time Friday at the church.
Dr. Passman was born July 25, 1928, in Sicily Island, La., the son of John Carl Passman Sr. and Nina Stringer Passman.
One of five children, he was nicknamed “Bouncer” by his father early in life, as he was the active one of the family.
After graduating from Sicily Island High School in 1946, Passman joined the U.S. Navy and became a seaman first class stationed inHouma, La.  During his naval career, he boxed and won the Golden Gloves Light Heavy Weight Championship for the Navy Eighth District. He was very proud that he shared the ring with Ezzard Charles, a future World Heavy Weight Champion. Unfortunately, the match lasted only one round.
Following his naval service, Passman attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. In 1955, he graduated from L.S.U. New Orleans Medical School. That same year, he began a general medicine practice in Jonesville with his mentor and brother, Dr. Charley Fred Passman. In 1964, Dr. Passman completed his residency in orthopedics at Confederate Memorial Medical Center in Shreveport.  He began his career in orthopedics in Natchez, which covered a span of 52 years. He served the people of the Miss-Lou area for an entirety of 61 years with total devotion to his patients. This included opening Passman Orthopedic and Physical Therapy Clinic with his wife, Marcia.  Most of his patients refused to allow him to retire and would come to his “sun room” clinic at his home to seek advice and “Bouncer” chats.
Passman was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and spent many weekends trail riding and attending motocross races with his family.  He was interested in anything that moved, including flying his own plane, sailing, snow skiing, scuba diving, driving his tractor, woodworking, cooking and playing golf.  He would only sit down by the fire to watch LSU games with his rescue dog, Egypt, enjoy a glass of wine in the swing by his pool, or play a mean game of bridge.
He and Marcia were world travelers and enjoyed all of the sensory experiences of the trips.  He loved growing a gardenand using the gatherings for gourmet cooking.  His love of cooking was only surpassed by his love of eating what he cooked.
Professionally, he was a member of the American Medical Association, Southern Orthopedic Medical Association and the Homochitto Valley Medical Society.  In 1999, as a member of the Krewe of Phoenix, he was honored to serve as King Rex XVII. He continued his float riding every year during Mardi Gras as a member of the Krewe of Krazies.
Passman was a member of First Presbyterian Church, attending Sunday school classes, and was a passionate mission trip member.  During his active medical practice, he and Everette Ratcliffe spent a week in Oxford, learning to install clean water systems for villages in Mexico. He was loved by all the elders and children of Mexico for his service and kindness, and will always be honored by them.
He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Charles Bradley Passman; his parents; and siblings, Charley Fred Passman, Maudell (Helen Louise), Monez, Wanda Sue.
Survivors include his beloved wife and companion of 36 years, Marcia Kay Hubbard Passman; three children, Carlane Passman, Paul Gavin Passman and wife, Susan, and Carl Frederick Passman; the mother of his children, Mary Girlinghouse Passman; eight grandchildren, Samantha Gail Passman, Colby Joseph Passman, Sydney Claire Passman, Eliot Osborne Passman, Alton Joseph Passman, Luke Alexander Passman, Breanna Kathleen Little and Ian Michael Little; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many wonderful close friends.
Pallbearers will be Stevie Oliphant, Morgan Passman, Bill Passman, Ian Little, David Taber, Bruce Davis, Mathew Taber, Josh Davis and Zachary Davis.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. William Godfrey, Dr. Thomas Purvis, Dr. Kenneth Stubbs and Dr. Frank Anders.
Special thanks to Dr. Ken Stubbs, Dr. Brad LeMay, Deaconess Hospice, his wonderful sitters and Joel Misita.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.