John Dyer Passano, 94, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2023, at his home on the family farm in China Grove, Texas where he had lived for over 5 decades. John was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jo Mae Watkins Passano, their son Peter Dyer Passano and his sister Alice Graves. He is survived by his son Michael Passano and his wife Carol, their children, Sean Passano and Megan Passano, his daughter, Toni Passano, her partner William Morris, her children Omar Malik and Raavi Malik, his brothers Mac Passano and Peter Passano and many loving nieces and nephews.
John was born on July 25, 1928 in Staten Island, New York to the late Grace Dyer Passano and Leonard Magruder Passano. One of four children, John attended Kent School in Kent, Connecticut and after high school was drafted into the military. John attended Officer Training School and then flight school where he discovered his life-long passion of flying. Over the course of his military career, he flew more than 6,000 hours and continued flying in his own plane commercially and for pleasure well past retirement.
Army aviation brought John to Texas, and it was in San Antonio that he met a pretty, young teacher named Jo Mae at a dance. On their second date, he told Jo Mae that she was the one he was going to marry. They wed on January 19, 1957 and had almost 65 loving years together. John often said of his wife Jo Mae that she was ‘the best thing that ever happened’ to him.
John thrived in the structure and dedication of Army life. As a decorated aviator and battalion commander, he flew in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was stationed in Kentucky, Texas, Germany and Iran. Having served in the Army for almost 30 years, John retired from the Army at the rank of Lt. Col. and returned home to China Grove to begin a new chapter.
John had seen a lot of this world, but it was China Grove that he loved the best. He and Jo Mae bought a small ranch next to Jo Mae’s family and they were the first to ranch Red Angus cattle in Bexar county. John bought Hero’s Ice and Feed and there he developed many strong friendships and cherished life-long connections.
Sunday mornings at Hero’s was an iconic time when John’s community spirit came to life. He offered free coffee and lively discussions regarding the ins and outs of small-town activities. Always interested in cattle and farming, John had a penchant for buying equipment at a good price that might someday be of good use to someone. His generous nature was noted throughout China Grove as he often shared resources and ideas with his fellow farmers.
John cared deeply about and worked diligently to serve the people of China Grove. After 2 years on the city council, John was elected Mayor of China Grove in 1977 and remained in office for 12 years. He was also elected to the East Central School Board, was a founding member of the China Grove Lions Club and supported numerous local charities.
John’s family and friendships nurtured him well throughout his long life. His devotion was steadfast to who and what mattered most - his family, friends, and his loving community. John’s memory is a blessing to all who knew him.
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