Joe Jarratt, Jr.

Joe Jarratt, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on June 18th, 2020. He was born to Joe Jarratt and Maybell Craddock Jarratt in the Bell Branch Community of Italy, Texas.

He was raised on the Jarratt Family Farm in Bell Branch that had been in his family since after the Civil War. Joe routinely reminisced about his childhood on the farm working side by side with his parents and siblings.

Joe graduated from Forreston High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corp at age 17. He was stationed in Guam, and was transferred to China after the war. After serving, Joe moved to Fort Worth and began working for the Kimbell Manufacturing Co. He married Jane Sawyer on November 9, 1957. He thoroughly enjoyed his career at Kimbell and later co-owned Dalworth Trucking Company, retiring 11 years later. Joe and Jane spent most of their time at the farm in Bell Branch enjoying their animals, which included cattle, quarter horses, mammoth paint donkeys and other farm animals. They loved to attend competitions around the country each year showing their prize-winning donkeys.  They especially loved frequenting the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo with their family.

Joe and Jane enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska, Canada, New England and Las Vegas, as well many family vacations to Hawaii, Colorado, and New Mexico. They also enjoyed entertaining family and friends at the Ft Worth Club and Petroleum Club. But, Joe’s favorite place to be was in his home with his wife and family in Fort Worth. His long tenure in Fort Worth allowed him to build wonderful relationships in the community that he loved.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Jane Sawyer Jarratt, his parents, his brother James Lewis Jarratt and sister Lillian Juanita Jarratt Pulley.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Janet Forrest Jarratt Tenery of Dallas; two grandchildren and their spouses; Robert Mayo Tenery III (Trey) and wife Angela of Lindale, Texas, Robyn Tenery Blakeney and husband Gene of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren; Mason Edward Tenery, Brooke Simpson Blakeney, Marc Joseph Tenery and Leigh Tenery Blakeney;  sister, Leta Jarratt Truman of Waco, Texas.

The family gratefully acknowledges the pallbearers Mason Tenery, Gene Blakeney, Marc Joseph Tenery, Lonney Truman, Ron Craddock, Robert “Buzz” Sawyer, Jerry Hutchins, and honorary pallbearer, Frederic F. Forrest.

Joe Jarratt, Jr., “Papa Joe,” will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the countless others that were blessed to know him.

Services to celebrate the life of Joe Jarratt, Jr. will be officiated by his grandson, Trey Tenery. A memorial service will be held  in the Pat Boze Memorial Chapel of the Wayne Boze Funeral Home located at 1826 W. Hwy 287 Business, Waxahachie, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to:  VetStarts https://vetstarts.com/donations/patriot-partner/ and Punching Out Parkinson’s in Tarrant County https://punchingoutparkinsons.org.