John Michael Mussman passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Towson, Maryland. He was born in Columbia, Missouri, March 18, 1969, but spent almost all his childhood in and around Prairie Village, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. Ever the tinkerer, one of his first words was “carburetor,” as he would peer from on top a step stool into the hood of his dad’s car. He did indeed have a lifelong passion for fixing, always hesitant to throw something away because, “well, you never know, it might come in handy.” He was known to diagnose and fix not only his own, but also gadgets and appliances of his friends and family. And yet, John’s true passion was for fixing bodies, or as he once told his 2nd grade teacher, he wanted to be a “body mechanic.” In 1987, he graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, KS, where he lettered in swimming as part of the State Championship team 1986-87. After completing his undergraduate studies at Kansas State University, John continued at K-State in the School of Veterinary Medicine and became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1996.

In 1991 he met his wife, Thea, when they were both studying abroad in Gießen, Germany. Thea was a student from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, but after graduation she moved to join John in Manhattan, KS where he was starting Veterinary School at K-State. They were married on January 2, 1993. John and Thea became parents for the first time in 1994, and in 1996 they moved to Baltimore, Maryland with their young son. They welcomed a daughter in 1997, followed in 2003 by a third child to complete the family of five.

For almost 27 years John and his family lived in the Loch Raven Village neighborhood of Towson. First practicing as a veterinarian in Baltimore and then stewarding veterinary medicine regulations at the FDA in the Center for Veterinary Medicine, John built a wide and loving network of friends in the profession. Throughout his FDA career he continued to practice medicine part-time and informally mentored many rising veterinarians. Just before his passing, he had joined Elanco Animal Health and was already making a large impact on his new company and coworkers.

At home, he never stopped pursuing his hobbies such as theology, model trains, kayaking, and music (he was quite adept at the saxophone, flute, piano, bagpipes, and digeridoo). Often his pursuits were given as gifts to friends old and new, especially so with cooking. John was known across his many circles as a culinary adventurer and was always so happy to make a meal for someone at his home. In music, he often played in church worship bands or improvised songs for his kids and at picnics.

Theology for John, truly more than a hobby, was a great passion of his life. John was a dedicated servant of Jesus, always in search of the truth but forever steadfast in the promise of justification by grace through faith. Such was his faith in the restoration of Jesus that, knowing there was nothing more he could do to impress God or be deserving of His grace, he turned his attention with humility and thanksgiving to what good he could enact in this world. John’s reliable attention to all around him was never without notice or appreciation.

John is survived by his wife, Thea; his children, Colin (Aubree) Mussman, Kara Mussman (Kyle Plifka), and Kris Mussman; and one granddaughter, Noora. He is also survived by his parents, Mike and Phyllis Mussman of West Bath, Maine. In addition, he is survived by his sister and brother, Amy and James (Leah) Mussman. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, the Phi Zeta veterinary medicine honor society, and the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His family, and his countless friends, will forever remember him as a kind, loving, and laughing spirit. As one who would give you his glove on a cold winter day or give you a hug after a bad day on the soccer field. As one who would help diagnose a pet’s illness, a dishwasher on the fritz, or a salmon dish that needs just that last something. John will be missed, and he will forever be loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that John be celebrated with a donation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish, Towson, MD, or to Blood Cancer United in support of lymphoma research. The family has also provided a link for remembrances here: https://form.jotform.com/aubree.mussman/the-good-riddance-book.