Joe Thomas Pass, Sr., 84, a resident of Greensboro, passed away at Moses H. Cone Hospital on Friday Nov. 3, 2017. He was born Jan. 2, 1933, in Pinehurst, NC, the son of John C. Graham and Lillie Ford.
Joe attended Pinehurst local schools where he played clarinet in the band. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His musical abilities were also utilized in several male quartets: The Southern Echoes and The Glorylanders.
Career wise, he was a truck driver, driving for North State Prophylite. He was also an outstanding bus driver for Duke Power/Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) for 25 years, where he was admired and highly regarded for his dedication and commitment to his riders. Following retirement, he drove a special needs school bus for Guilford County Schools. He retired from the County School System in July 2005.
After giving his life to Christ, he became a fervent, active member of Wells Memorial Church of God in Christ in Greensboro for decades. He and his wife ensured all their children were involved in church activities and he served in numerous roles: choir member, Trustee Board, custodian, sound technician, church van driver, and a positive, male role model/mentor for youngsters and young families to emulate. His warm, wonderful smile was often one of the best welcoming features at Wells Memorial while he sat on the front row of the church, or when he walked back to the vestibule and helped greet visitors.
Joe was a frequent blood donor for American Red Cross; was attentive to his police scanner; drove his big family around in a classic station wagon, an Electra 225, then a van; baked holiday sweet potato pies and coconut cakes; and served up hot, delicious meals of pinto beans, corn bread, fried chicken, and “red” Kool-Aid to the entire neighborhood. He was a Daddy’s Daddy for he enjoyed playing with his children, grands, great grands and extended family. He wrestled and played football with the boys and taught the girls to ride their bikes. He and his wife graciously opened their home to students living off campus and other youngsters. In fact, they could not grow green grass in the front yard because so many children consistently visited and played in their yard.
The Pass front yard was transformed into an amphitheater where Papa Pass nailed white sheets to trees to create a movie screen using a reel-to-reel projector. Kids in the neighborhood saw silent movies with sub-titles: Godzilla & The Three-Headed Monster, Trog, and home-made movies of the Pass family. Affectionately known as “Mr. Thang-Is-Though,” Pass was often trying to explain his way out of challenging, hilarious situations with their huge extended family. He would be the last link in the chain to complete a major project and then he would suddenly remember a vital element that he had not completed so he’d exclaim, “Thang-Is-Though!” According to the children, their mom’s voice would always go three octaves higher than her normal soprano saying, “Joe, why didn’t you think about that before now?”
Joe is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Haygood Pass of the home; two daughters, April Odette Harris of Greensboro; Angel Larissa McCreary (Barry) of Greensboro; four sons; Joe Thomas Pass, Jr. (Maria) of Greensboro; Falandius Sherod Pass (Tonya) of Chesapeake, VA; Darryl Pass (Daun) of Crystal, MI; James Wyoming Pass (Queen) of Raleigh, NC. Sisters, Jasmine Lane of Farrell, PA; Wilhelmina Hawkins (James) of Sharon, PA; brothers, William Ford, Jr. (Vertis) of Hermitage, PA; Atlas Ford (Clarice) of Catersville, GA.
His 15 grandchildren include: Darius Lamar Pass (Shantell), Riverview, FL; Joseph Yohane Pass of Dayton, OH; Sarah Ann Morales of Greensboro, NC; Victoria Veronique Polley (Stephen), Suffolk, VA; Deborah Laure Carlos (Marsalis) Staten Island, NY; Macy Octavius Pass, Jenna Stephonia Pass, Brandon DaShaun Pass of Crystal, MI; Forise Austin Lee Epps (Ariona) of Las Vegas, NV; Janeia Patrice Stedham of Davenport, IA; Avery Christopher Epps of Greensboro, NC; Jennifer Irene Purcell, Joanna Sophia Purcell of Fayetteville, NC; Travis Eugene Pass (Erika), Angel Gabrielle Pass (Nathan), Parrish Christian Hargraves of Greensboro, NC; and Joss Jahari Torres Pass of Raleigh, NC.
His 14 great grandchildren include: Ashaureah Unique Hamilton, Djahya Lanae Pass, Geovannie Jorge Rios, Arianna Morales, Amina Shyanne Rawly, Joshua Makanalani Polley, Sarai Michell Polley, Eden Laurae Polley, Zahra Renee Carlos, Jayla Christina Patrice Steadham, Journey Briella Pass, Terrance Demond Davis, Jr., Stephone Emanuel Miller, and Na’gelle Serenity Miller.
He also leaves a host of other relatives and friends, including Bro. Percy Lawson, Bro. Leon Cooke, Bro. Elliott Lilly and Bro. Elliott Roberts.
Funeral services will be held at Wells Memorial Church of God in Christ officiated by Supt. Herman G. Platt senior pastor at 1:00 p.m. on Friday November 10th. The family wake will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the church.
Interment with Military Honors will by the Randolph County Honor Guard in Guilford Memorial Park. Online condolences can be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com
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