Jo Ann Walker

1928 - 2017

Jo Ann Crowder Walker, 89, passed away early Sunday morning, June 4, 2017, surrounded by her children. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, at First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, 76102. Honorary bearers are Jim Berend, Max Bunch III, Dick Donnelly, Alex Florescu, Kelly McColm, Mike McColm, Gary Miller, Mike Miller, Cord Walker and Zach Walker. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Joe T. Garcia's with the family. (Where else would it be?). Memorials may be made in honor of Jo Ann Walker to the Fort Worth Zoo or to a charity of your choice. Jo Ann was born in Fort Worth, on Jan. 20, 1928. She attended Paschal High School and graduated from the University of Texas where she served as president of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was selected as a Bluebonnet Belle. After college, Jo Ann worked for two years as a flight attendant for American Airlines. In 1951, she married her high school sweetheart Danny Walker. Jo Ann lived a full and active life right up to her final weeks. She loved to travel and saw much of the world, from Possum Kingdom Lake to Monte Carlo. She had a passion for poker and her weekly poker group, televised sports, especially football and tennis, vodka sodas (no lime), Joe T. Garcia's, dogs and elephants, good barbecue and Whataburgers, impromptu hula dances with her sister, sunsets on sailboats, and holiday family gatherings. Most of all, she loved to be with her grandchildren. As "JoJo," she was a supportive and doting grandmother, and Texas Hold'em instructor, who was always a blast to be around. Jo Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Alpha Crowder; and her husband of 54 years, Danny. Survivors: She is survived by her sister, Joy Crowder Begley; her daughters, Allyson Walker Bunch (Max Bunch) and Stacy Walker (Tim Harmon); her almost adopted daughter and lifelong friend and companion, Juana Cearnal (John Cearnal); her son, Breck Walker (Julie Walker); and her six grandchildren, Max and Breck Bunch, Elle and Alex Florescu, and Cord and Zach Walker.