Garry Joseph Pasman

Garry Joseph Pasman Sr. born January 7, 1924 in Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away on January 12, 2016. He was baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church on April 3, 1924. Garry attended Richland Rural Agricultural School in Richland, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1946. He joined the U.S. Navy in December of 1942 attending boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois and Quartermaster School in Newport, Rhode Island. Garry served in the Mine Sweep School at Port Townsend, Washington, then aboard the U.S.S. Tripoli CVE 64 in the Pacific Campaign of World War II. After the war ended, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1956, honorably discharged with the rank of Ensign. Garry joined the Michigan Bell Telephone Company in 1946 and remained with AT&T and the Bell System until he retired in 1978. There he met Eleanor Ziebart, an operator from St. Joseph, Michigan, during a 1947 strike at Michigan Bell. They married in 1948, spending 50 happy years together until her death in 1998. Garry will be interred at the National Cemetery in Little Rock with his wife, Eleanor. He is predeceased by his parents, Emma Meyer and James (Jake) Pasman; brother, Bill; and wife, Eleanor Ziebart Pasman. Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Barbara Jenkins Pasman; children, Cynthia Jackson (Gary) of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, James Pasman (Eileen) of Braintree, Massachusetts, Garry Joseph Pasman, Jr. (Ruth) of Caledonia, Michigan, and Richard Pasman (Rebecca) of Paw-Paw, Michigan; step-children, Pamela Connell, Paul Jenkins (Johanna), Julie Honsey (Scott), John Jenkins, Susan Krekel (Tom), Scott Jenkins (Gayla), Lisa Price (Russ); grandchildren, Jacob Pasman (Crystal), Gary Jackson Jr. (Christina), Jason Jackson, Ryan Drury (Ann-Marie), Molly and Tyler Pasman, Megan Bassett, Catherine and Bethany Pasman, Emily Groth (Jason), Eric Pasman (Piper); 14 step-grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Garry loved his Lord and Savior, demonstrating a strong faith to all around him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 16th at 10 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Christ Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.