John Wayne Passmore

December 4, 1943 - June 14, 2022

John Wayne Passmore, 78, of McCalla, Alabama passed away peacefully on June 14, 2022, at Grandview Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. John was born on December 4, 1943, to Edward Clayton Passmore and Annie Louise Bedford Passmore of Bessemer. He was a graduate of Bessemer High School. John attended Rock Mountain Lakes Church of God, and was a strong believer in his faith. He served his country as a marksman with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. Afterwards he returned home where he became an autobody mechanic, followed by a U.S. Postal Service employee and lastly a co-owner with his wife Deborah, at Deb’s Hotdogs in Bessemer where he retired in 2016. John Wayne loved spending time with family, being present in their lives and being involved in as many family gatherings as possible. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who always made it a point to be a guide in their lives. In his free time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, scuba diving, racing and panning for gold. He was well known for his wisdom, knowledge and occasionally speaking his mind. To know him was to love him. He was proceeded in death by his father, Edward Clayton Passmore, his mother Annie Louise Bedford Passmore. His four brothers, Roy Louis Passmore, Edward Clayton Passmore, James Clifton Passmore and Thomas Kellman Passmore. His sister Barbara Ann Passmore King and son-in-law Gary Max Carlisle, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Deborah Jane Higginbotham Passmore and their three children, Johnnie Ann Passmore Carlisle, Cynthia Passmore (Bo) Maddox and Jason Wayne (Erin) Passmore and his brother Richard Mattison Passmore. His seven grandchildren Kristin (Brack) Wyatt, Patrick (Autumn) Carlisle, Cody (Brianna) Smith, Andrew Clay Smith, Hunter (Savanah) Smith, Jaclyn (Brody) Curl, and Tanner Wayne Passmore. His eight great- grandchildren, Makana Ann Wyatt, Madelyn Carlisle, Colin Brack Wyatt, Everlie Annalise Smith, Matthew Joseph Carlisle, Spencer Kate Smith, Macon Jones Carlisle and Elliahnna Glynn Smith, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 12 p.m. at McCalla Memorial Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Green Pond Presbyterian Church. Following the graveside service, we will be gathering at Rock Mountain Lake Church of God.