John Ernest Pass, Jr.

John Ernest Pass, Jr. 86, passed from this world to glory on December 12, 2012 from his home in Midland, TX surrounded by his wife and son. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was born October 2, 1926 in Ft. Worth, TX. He was a graduate of Paschal High School, Ft. Worth, TX and Texas Christian University (Fear the Frog!). He served in the United States Air Force during World War II and was stationed in Puerto Rico.John began his career in real estate development in 1952 in Odessa, TX with Friday, White & Donk Realtors. In 1953 he began developing real estate with U.M. Tadlock, Jr. and in 1956 he joined the Beck Companies as Chief Executive Officer. The company developed 6,000 single-family residences and 6,500 multi-family residences in seven states and twenty-seven cities as well as warehouse facilities and shopping centers. John Pass Investments was formed in Dallas, TX in 1968 and upon graduation from TCU his son, J.T., and J.T.s friend Scott Rogers joined John along with Walker F. Hunter III in 1974. For the next twenty-five years the partnership developed 5,762 multi-family residences along with other office and warehouse facilities and a medical condominium complex.John and Diann Walker were married on September 20, 1984 at the Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, TX and were a great team for 28 wonderful years.In 1993 John joined his son, J.T. Pass, in J.T.s new venture as a Whataburger franchisee, Whataco. John returned to Midland, TX in 1997 and served as Senior Vice President for Real Estate for Whataco. Whataco bought or developed over 90 Whataburger stores in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. At the time of his death, John was consulting at the Kent Companies with his dear friend, Bill Kent.John served on many Boards of Directors including First Bank and Trust of Richardson, TX; Dallas Home and Apartment Builder; Equity Management (later known as Equity Residential), and Next Step Discipleship through Midland Bible Church. Johns relationship with his son, J.T. (deceased) was shared in his business ventures for over thirty years with John Pass Investments and Whataco, but he especially enjoyed his activities with J.T. in the breeding and showing of Chianina cattle. Together they owned five Grand Champion animals at the national Chianina shows. John and J.T. imported the first Chianina cattle from Italy in the late 1970s. They then bred the white Chianinas with the Black Angus to achieve an animal that was both extremely large and the black color that the judges liked.In 1986 Johns interest turned to quarter horses and his Junior Calf Roping Horse won the World championship at Oklahoma City, OK.John was a member of Midland Bible Church and found great joy in growing his faith there. He looked forward to his Wednesday study group and belonged to the small group The Old, The Rugged and The Cross. In the latter years, he mentored young men who joined him afternoons for a root beer float on the porch. John was forever young at heart and that was most evidenced by the number of young men he mentored and took an interest in.John was known by the names: Mr. Pass, John, Dad, Big Sir, Daddy Jar, PaPa and Honey. He will be missed by all whose life he came into with his hardy laugh and gentle spirit.John was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Marie Pass; brother, Ted Pass; and his beloved son, J.T. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Diann; daughter, JNevelyn Melton and husband Larry; daughter, Cynthia Marie Pass; son, Shayne Walker and wife Cindy; daughter, Christi Mitchell and husband Gregg; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Pass; 10 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.Services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A ST, Midland, TX with Tyler Beard, officiating. A visitation will be held at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory, 3800 N Big Spring ST, Midland, TX 79705 on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.The Pass family extends special thanks to Hospice of Midland for their tireless love and care of John and his family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Next Step Discipleship at Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A ST, Midland, TX 79705 or the charity of your choice.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,