Category: 1969

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Jesse Bernard Sims, Jr. ’69

Lt. Cmdr (Ret) Jesse Bernard Sims, Jr., 79, of Chattanooga passed away after a valiant battle with cancer.

He was born in Denver, Colorado to the late Jesse Bernard Sims, Sr. and Geraldine “Donnie” Sims on March 14, 1945. He was a graduate of McCallie School, Class of 1963. He lettered in several sports while at McCallie and still holds the record along with Abner Oldham for the fastest mile. Upon graduation he moved to North Carolina where he graduated from Davidson College with a degree in Literature. Jesse also went to the University of Tennessee Knoxville where he worked towards his Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Jesse was a proud veteran of the USMC and the Naval Reserves. He achieved the rank of Lt. Commander and retired after 20 years of service in the Naval Reserves.

Jesse was a true Southern gentleman. He never met a stranger. When he and his wife were dining in a restaurant in Washington D.C., his wife excused herself to go to the powder room and, on her return, the entertainer had joined them for dinner.

He loved information. He wanted to know about everything. One of his sons stated, “my dad is a walking encyclopedia; unfortunately, he is a talking one too”. He hated technology: no computer, email or Facebook for him. Oh, but Google, he loved it as it was his information central, which led to obtaining a cell phone and an iPad.

Jesse did love to tell stories one of his favorites was how a bunch of his McCallie classmates took a raft trip down the Tennessee River to go to New Orleans. Unfortunately, they had to abandon the raft and return home before reaching New Orleans. This however did not stop his love for travel. His travels led him to a long and enduring friendship with an Englishman who could not believe he was speaking with an American who could quote a Latin poem

Jesse loved theatre, music, and all of the arts but dancing was his favorite. Jesse would jump up in any location and start buck dancing. This led to a friend dubbing him the “Dancing Fool.”

Jesse loved his church. He was a Bible scholar, a Lay Leader at his church First Centenary UMC. He also taught Sunday School there and volunteered as a tutor in the Centenary Program. He loved children and animals.

Jesse loved helping people the Hospice social worker used to live in his neighborhood picking up trash as he walked his dogs.

Jesse truly let his light shine in the world. The night he passed away, a fire fly with his light blinking flew around the room.

He will be missed by his wife, family and many wonderful friends who have supported him through his battle with cancer.

He was preceded in death by his aforementioned parents.

Left behind to cherish Jesse’s memory are his wife of 34 years, Cyndee Sims, his sons, Andrew and Daniel Sims, his brothers, Paul (Suzanne) Sims and Donald Sims, a sister, Maxine (Dan) McNutt, brother-in-law, Charlie McGuire, several nieces and nephews, his fur-babies, Maximus, Piper and Garnet and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Jesse’s life will be held on Friday June 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at First Centenary United Methodist Church with Dr. Will Lauderback and Pastor Barry Kidwell officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am. Jesse will be laid to rest on Monday June 10, 2024 at 10:30 am in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jesse’s memory can be made to The Centenary and/or to The Mustard Tree in care of First Centenary UMC.

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Clifton “Cliff” Hardy Duke III ’69

Clifton Hardy Duke III “Cliff” , age 77, went to be with Jesus on May 16, 2024.

He was born on April 11, 1947 in Kinston NC and was the son of the late Marvin and Margaret Taylor Duke. 

Cliff graduated from Grainger High School, where he was a marshal, played football and on the ’64-’65 state basketball championships teams; Davidson College where he received the Van Hecke Scholarship to play football and was in ROTC; and UNC School of Law.

Some of Cliff’s favorite pre career experiences were working for Senator Sam Ervin one Summer in Washington DC, working on Bob Clark’s campaign, and driving Governor Jim Hunt all over NC during his campaigns. 

He began his legal career as the Police Attorney for the City of Wilmington. He was an Assistant Attorney General in the early days of the Child Support Enforcement Program, serving as a founding board member and president of the NC Child Support Council. Cliff loved law and knew government ” like the back of his hand.” He began Duke Communications later in life and was able to use his love of sports and human interest stories on cable tv. Cliff was an avid reader, enjoyed all sports but especially UNC football and basketball and playing golf.

Cliff served in the NC Army Reserves as a captain.

Preceding him in death are his parents and his brother, David Rodney “Rod” Duke.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kathryn (Kathy) Davis Duke of their home, nephews Adam (Kate)Duke and son Wells of Winston Salem, Matthew (Michelle) Kinney and children Elliott, Ivy, and Ada of Raleigh, nieces Meredith Duke of Lenoir, and Sara (Aaron)Watson and children Gavin, Simon, and Jillian of Washington,Bobbi ( Leo)Hageman and daughter Josephine of Apex, Angie Payne and children Mason and Miles of Key West, sisters in law Addie “AJ” Duke, Jane Wells Harrison, sister and brother in law Melissa and Phillip Kinney who became his family, and special “adopted” daughter and friend , Wanda Conley and sweet family.

Cliff was a member of Westminster UMC where he held fond memories of MYF as a youth and serving the Lord as an adult. He loved the Lord and was a man with a generous heart and lived a life full of God’s bounty! Kathy would like to extend a special blessing to Cliff’s caregivers, Tasha Aytch and Renarda Gant, who so lovingly took care of him during the last year. There will be a graveside service to celebrate his life at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Westview Cemetery in Kinston with visitation after the service and other times at their home on 1603 Eastwood Drive. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse PO Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607.

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John Howard Roe, Jr. ’69

John Howard Roe, Jr., aged 77, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on February 6, 2024, after a brief but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. John was born on December 29, 1946, in Springfield, Tennessee, to John Howard Roe, Sr. and Lillian C. Roe. John grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee, graduating from Clarksville High School before attending Davidson College for his undergraduate studies. He attended Vanderbilt Law School, graduating first in his class as Founder’s Medalist in 1972.

John began his legal career in Atlanta, Georgia, and then moved to Nashville in 1974 to be closer to his hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1981, he and his colleague and friend Tom Sherrard opened the law offices of O’Hare, Sherrard & Roe, now Sherrard, Roe, Voight & Harbison, an esteemed law firm of more than 40 attorneys today. Known for his strong work ethic, his razor-sharp memory, and his expert legal acumen, John was dedicated to providing his clients not only the best legal advice, but to offering his clients a holistic approach to their business needs and goals. Over his 50-year legal career, John developed an expertise in real estate and tax law, co-authoring the Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008, but more importantly, he developed lifelong relationships and friendships with his clients and colleagues that he valued deeply.

John was committed to the organizations in which he was involved, the people for whom he cared, and the communities in which he lived. As an elementary school student, he became involved with the Boy Scouts of America, rising to the rank of Eagle Scout. He spent his summers at Camp Boxwell, where he developed lifelong friends with whom he continued to gather year after year. He remained involved in the Nashville chapter of the Boy Scouts until his passing, and is to be honored for his lifelong service to the Boy Scouts in April, 2024. In partnership with one of his best friends from high school, Jerry Clark, John purchased the abandoned 100-year-old building in which his high school was housed, and restored it into an apartment building, saving the historic structure from demolition. He also helped found the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park in Clarksville. He was a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, serving as Board Chair in 2005.

Learning to sail as a Boy Scout, John sailed during his free time throughout his life and kept his own sailboat on Percy Priest Lake until his passing. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed backpacking, canoeing, and fishing trips with his family. A life-long student of history and an adventurer, he enjoyed traveling to places all over the world. But perhaps his favorite pastime was spending time at Moosehead, his home in Monteagle, where he enjoyed hiking, swimming, and sitting on the deck with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and friends.

John will be remembered for many wonderful qualities, but his family and friends will remember him best as someone who was intensely loyal, devoted, and generous to those he loved. John’s friends were friends for life, and he would do anything for someone he considered a close friend. He valued his family dearly, cherishing his relationships with his immediate and extended family members. He was beloved by his children, his stepchildren, his nieces and nephews, grandchildren, sister, and his wife Jane, all of whom gathered by his side in his final days to support him in his transition.

John is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jane Buchi Roe, his children Lillian (Nate) Gilmer, John (Alicia) Roe, and Alan (Tatiana) Roe; his grandchildren Emi, Lila, and Hannah Gilmer, Tasman and Amelia Brinton-Roe, and Matthew and Naomi Roe; and his sister, Lynne Wilson. He is preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Emily Hunt Roe, his father, John Howard Roe, Sr., and his mother, Lillian C. Roe. Through his marriage to Jane, he was blessed with three additional children, Marla (Topper) Doehring, Hunter (Katty) Connelly, Will (Lauren) Connelly, and eight additional grandchildren, who survive him as well.

Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 10. Visitation will be held at 2:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, or Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville.

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John M. “Ace” Passmore, Jr. ’69

Dr. John M. “Ace” Passmore, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 17, 2024 after a valiant battle with autoimmune encephalitis, leaving behind a legacy of love and magic. Ace was born in Columbus, Georgia to June and Johnny Passmore, followed shortly by his beloved sister Diane. He was valedictorian at Columbus High, where he earned the nickname “Ace” due to his uncanny ability with card magic. Ace attended Davidson College where he met his best friend Bill Bailey and their legendary pranks became part of local lore. In 1969 he married Donna Olney, “the most beautiful and wonderful girl in the universe!” Ace attended Vanderbilt Medical School. To make ends meet, Ace and Donna developed a magic act, performing regularly in nightclubs and on TV. Their love of magic and creating wonder became a lifelong passion.

Ace and Donna moved to Indianapolis for his residency, had four amazing children, and then moved to Houston to complete a fellowship in cardiology before entering private practice at Memorial Hermann SW. He served as Chairman of Cardiology and spent decades as a dedicated Cardiology Professor, earning many teaching awards and inspiring thousands of future doctors. In 2012, Ace moved his practice to Methodist Sugar Land where he helped develop their Cardiac Center, retiring in 2017.

Ace was the most magical dad and grandpa around. He was a celebrated pianist, and visiting the Passmores often included a singalong and a magic show. His album Piano Prestidigitations continues to bring joy to his family and friends. Ace also wrote several award-winning screenplays, earning membership in the Writers Guild of America. Christmas and the spirit of giving were especially important to him, and his novel Red Stocking Society was published in 2018, sharing his philosophy of altruism, love and wonder.

Ace is survived by his wife Donna, children Starr (Chad), Jackie (Howie), Skye (Adam), and Grant(Barbara), grandchildren Ellory, Juniper, Ines, Ondine, Lucie, and Azure, sister Diane Munden (Ron), dear brothers- and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews, who all love Uncle Bubba’s magic shows, piano concerts, and zest for life. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Methodist, Memorial Hermann, the Amazing Place, and Silverado Memory Care & Hospice for their compassionate care. After living a wonderful life, his message to family and friends is: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor to the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance https://aealliance.org/ or to The Amazing Place https://www.amazingplacehouston.org/donate/.

The Passmore family will host a celebration of life on Sunday, April 14 at Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, from 3 to 6 PM.

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John “Bud” Bradley Cousar Jr. ’69

John “Bud” Bradley Cousar Jr. died peacefully surrounded by family in his home in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 17, 2023.

John was born on November 21, 1946 to John Bradley Cousar Sr. and Helen McMillian Cousar in Sumter, South Carolina. After the loss of his father when he was only nine, John went on to graduate from A.C. Flora High School in 1965 and Davidson College in 1969. Following in his father’s footsteps, John became a doctor, graduating from the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine in 1973. He practiced pathology for 38 years, serving as Director of Clinical Laboratories, Director of Hematopathology and Professor of Pathology at Vanderbilt University. In 2002, John joined the Pathology Department at the University of Virginia where he served as Professor and Director of Hematopathology as well as founding Director of the Hematopathology Fellowship Training Program until his retirement in 2011.

A culinary wizard, John could make a mean pot roast, rack of ribs, and jalapeño cornbread. He loved to fish and hunt with friends and even canoed competitively, though by his own account he was once lapped by a band of whistling girl scouts. He was deeply connected to nature and could rattle off the age, sex, and mating quirks of any bird that visited his homemade platform feeder. But John’s most accomplished art was surely comedy. Never one to miss a party, he was known for his deadpan punchlines that regularly left the room in tears of laughter.

Despite his many talents and professional accomplishments, John never boasted and always put others first. A true Southern gentleman, he was extraordinarily kind, humble, and wise, taking joy in simple, albeit eccentric, routines- compulsively mowing the grass, blurting out expletives to the “idiot” contestants on Wheel of Fortune, and staring blissfully for hours at wild turkeys with his friend Tess, the late standard poodle. Above all, John loved his family and his life’s joy was to make his wife, children, and grandchildren happy.

John is preceded in death by his sister, Helen Wells, and his parents, John Bradley Cousar Sr. and Helen McMillian Cousar. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Reed; his daughters, Lauren Cousar and Anna Mechem (Tyler); his stepsons, Reed Espinosa (Lauren) and Charlie Espinosa (Sierra); his grandsons, Milo Downie, Henry Mechem, Charlie Mechem, and Samuel Mechem; his nephew, Brad Wells (Alyssa); his sister-in-law, Jane Reed; and his first wife, Ellen Cousar.

A private family burial will be held at Panorama Natural Burial. An informal celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 3450 Blandemar Dr, Charlottesville, Va. In lieu of flowers, John would like you to fix a gin and tonic and enjoy yourself.