Jo Potter

Jo Diane Potter passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025. A visitation will be 12:00 PM -1:00 PM, Friday, January 2, 2026 in the Elmwood Funeral Home's Family Center, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral services will begin immediately following visitation at 1:00 PM. Interment will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Jo was born on November 29, 1936 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She married the love of her life, Gayle Potter, in 1954 in Chadron, Nebraska. Together they built a life full of faith, family, and adventure. They were blessed with three children: a son, Stanley, born in Chadron, Nebraska in 1957; and two daughters, Vickie, born in 1958, and Sandra, born in 1961, both in Casper, Wyoming.

After living in Casper for a year, the family moved to Gillette, Wyoming, where Gayle worked as an analytical chemist with Chemical and Geological Laboratories, analyzing oil and gas wells. During this time, Jo and Gayle purchased a ranch in northeast Wyoming and named it the Rocking G Ranch. Together they ran approximately 1,600 head of cattle and also kept 200 head of cows for Glen Ford, Richard Widmark, Alfred Hitchcock, and Jack Benny.

Due to health challenges, Jo and Gayle eventually sold the ranch, cattle, machinery, and their Cessna 182 Skylane. Later, Gayle founded Cardinal Construction, which they operated for several years.

Jo held a pilot's license alongside Gayle, and the couple shared a love of aviation. Jo faithfully followed Gayle through many adventures as he worked on farms in Wyoming and Texas. Jo dearly loved her cats and cared for them with devotion.

In August of 1975, the family moved to Abilene, Texas. Stanley graduated from Campbell County High School in 1975 and entered Abilene Christian College that fall. Vickie and Sandra attended Abilene High School. Jo and Gayle also took Bible classes at Abilene Christian, where Gayle majored in Bible studies. Vickie and Sandra both graduated from Abilene High School.

Jo is survived by her children, Stan Potter, Vickie Ritter and husband Gary, and Sandy Smith and husband Rickey; her grandchildren, Justin Ritter and wife Dani, Garrett Smith and wife Kim, Gabrielle Patterson and husband Ryan, Jamie Heslep and husband Jeff, and Sydney Kuecker and husband Brandon; her great grandchildren, Jayna Smith, Sam Patterson, Noah Patterson, Abbie Patterson, Ethan Heslep, Payton Kuecker, Logan Kuecker, and Hayden Kuecker; and half brother, Jim Vannes. 

In 1978, the family moved to their farm in the Caps community, where Jo and Gayle continued to live and build cherished memories.

Jo Diane Potter will be remembered for her strong faith, adventurous spirit, love for her family, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to Taylor County Animal Shelter.