Dr. James Michael Jasper, Jr., 75, died January 22, 2016 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL. He was born July 29, 1940 in Trussville, AL to Jim and Adele Jasper.

He grew up in Trussville and attended St. Paul Elementary School and John Carroll High School in Birmingham, AL. He attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Alabama Medical School. Beginning in 1971, he served two years in the United States Army at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA as a general surgeon. Afterward, he did a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery in Houston, TX and a Fellowship in Peripheral Vascular Surgery in Charleston, SC.

On July 1, 1975, he opened his private practice at Sacred Heart Hospital. He was a gifted surgeon, serving the community faithfully for 32 years, touching many hearts. Spanning his career, he performed more than 7,000 surgeries. He will be remembered for his dedication to his patients, his compassion and care for others, his mentorship and his love for teaching. He retired in 2007.

He loved his family, golf, gardening and spent many days working on his farm. He was a member of the Florida Medical Society and the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, James Michael III (Jennifer) and their children, Ava and Maya; daughter, Autry Cataldo (Joe) and children, Dominic, Michael, Catherine, Claire, Anne, Tony, Mary and Lucy; daughter, Magee Jaski (David) and children, Ben, Will and Chase and a brother, Joseph Jasper (Martha) of Birmingham, AL.

Visitation will be at 5pm Friday, January 29, 2016 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel on Airport Blvd., Pensacola. The visitation will be followed by a prayer service at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1pm Saturday, January 30, 2016 from the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel on Palafox St. in Pensacola, celebrated by Fr. Joseph Callipare. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers are Michael Jasper, Joseph Cataldo, David Jaski, Dominic Cataldo, Michael Cataldo and Jere West.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Wayne Campbell, Frank Patti, Perry Banaikas, OP Willingham, Jim Flournoy, Downing Gray and Rocky Crews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Jasper's name to the Restoration Fund at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel.

The family wishes to send a very special thank you to Dr. Alejandro Inclan and the nurses in the Medical ICU at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Michael will be forever missed by his family and friends, but we are joyous that he has found peace with his Heavenly Father.