The Obituary of Dr. James T. Pass

Dr. James T. Pass ("Jim"), age 70, entered eternal life on Monday, January 2, 2023. He was born on June 4, 1952, in Harvey, Illinois to Donald & Barbara Pass.

Jim grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, and graduated from Wheaton Central High School where he was an active and studious member of his high school community including the wrestling team where he honed his celebrated cleverness and determination. He then went on to attend Michigan State University and Michigan State University Veterinary School, where he met his future wife. His friends in Vet School, who lovingly called him "JT", knew him to be incredibly intelligent and always up for a good time. He graduated at the top of his class with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the age of 23.

After returning to Wheaton, Illinois, Jim opened his first veterinary practice at the age of 28. By day, he was a community-beloved, small-animal caretaker having owned and operated two successful veterinary practices, but he really shined in the evenings and on weekends as a kind and loving father. He particularly excelled at being a homework helper, wheel of fortune puzzle solver, driveway basketball coach, and ice skating and ballet spectator. He never shied away from a household project, enjoyed landscaping, and took great pride as grill master for his family and friends. His specialty and personal favorite was steak and mushrooms with a baked potato side. After 56 years, Jim later relocated to Chicago to be near Lake Michigan, a place he had always loved. He enjoyed regular walks around Olive Park and Ohio Street beach, attending music festivals in Grant Park, and Lake Michigan fishing charters. Jim was also a Michigan State football and basketball fanatic, always seeking out the best places to watch the game with fellow Spartans ("Sparty on, dude!"). He loved live music, especially the blues, and enjoyed rounds of golf with neighborhood friends and colleagues. He was always a voracious reader, having kept a well-used library card and recently read almost all the books in his home library. He had an insatiable appetite for learning and experiencing new things including even trying his hand as an extra on the set of Chicago Fire. He easily made friends wherever he went with his quick wit, contagious laugh, and Jeopardy-esque knowledge. Later in life, he found his next calling when he was promoted to "Grampy" after the birth of his first grandchild. He kept up his natural youthful spirit always getting in on games with the kids, and luckily, he had no shortage of grandpa jokes.

He is survived by his children Jamieson Taylor Pass & Meredith Rae (William) Blank; his grandchildren: Aliana Hailey (10), Liam James (5), Lilian Mary (3) & Grace Geralyn (2); and his former wife Dr. Geralyn M. Pass. He was preceded in death by his son Matthew Donald Pass, who passed away from a glioblastoma brain tumor at the age of 9.5, and his parents.

In his passing, James gave several people the gift of hope through organ and tissue donation. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones.

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Memorial gifts may be directed to Bernie's Book Bank .  Bernie's Book Bank empowers nearly 300,000 Chicagoland children to read their way to a better life through book ownership.

Services will be private.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com .