Alice Jo Jackson

Alice Jo Jackson, 87, of Canyon, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the First Methodist Church of Canyon with Rev. Bobby McMillan officiating.

Jo was born on April 19, 1937 in St. James, Missouri to Rev. W. K. and Orpha B. (Shaw) Harper. Her father being a pastor, she started playing the piano at church from the time she was in the third grade, thus beginning her deep love of music. She played numerous instruments and passed that love of music on to her children.

Jo received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO. She married Richard 'Dick' Jackson on June 18, 1960 in Canton, MO and they moved to Canyon in 1966. She received her master's degree from WTAMU and taught 6th grade Reading and English at Canyon Junior High School for many years. She treasured her team of fellow teachers who were also her dear friends.

After retirement, Jo studied Yoga and meditation in California and Santa Fe, NM and became partners with Pat Holcomb in the Yoga Now Studio in Canyon. After she sold the studio years later, she continued to teach there. Her passion was chair yoga, and she enjoyed conducting yoga classes at Palo Duro Retirement Village until she was 82. Her desire was for the residents to have the opportunity to stay healthy. Jo volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and being a 58-year breast cancer survivor, she also volunteered for the Reach to Recovery program through the American Cancer Society.

Jo was an intricate part of the Canyon community for many years. She touched many lives and will be well missed by those who knew and loved her. She was lovingly known as Grandma to her grandchildren, Jackson and Griffin, who jumped at the chance to sit and listen to her read (especially if it was under the covers using a flashlight on vacation).

Jo was a long-time member of Canyon First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and was an avid WTAMU basketball booster.

She is preceded in death by a son, Richard Andrew Jackson, her parents, and a brother, Edward Harper.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Richard 'Dick' Jackson; daughter, Sally Jo Jackson; son, Clay Harper Jackson and wife, Tracy Eisenberg; two grandchildren, Jackson Kennedy and wife, Annie, and Griffin Kennedy; and a brother, Alan Harper and wife, Cindy.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Dick and Jo Jackson Academy Scholarship at the Amarillo Little Theatre, 2019 Civic Circle, Amarillo, TX 79109.