Joseph Taylor Jett

Joe was born on the family farm on Jett Hill in Maryville Tennessee on March 6, 1925, to Squire Hiram Jett and Grace Banner Jett. He was the 13th of their 14 children that were raised on Jett Hill. He walked to school until he graduated and joined the Navy through the V-12 Program, a college and Midshipman’s program to train young officers. After graduating, he was commissioned an officer in the US Navy and was shipped out to the Asian/Pacific Theater where he served until discharged in 1946. He went back to Tennessee where he earned his college degree from the University of Tennessee. After college he started work for Addressograph-Multigraph Corp, and convinced the love of his life, Mikki Rucker, to be his wife, which she remained until his passing. Their first child, Craig, was born in 1951 in Nashville. Joe was called back into the Navy in January, 1952, during the Korean War, serving until June 1953. He went back to work for Addressograph-Multigraph in Atlanta, then to Jackson Miss., where their second son, Tim, was born, and then to Dallas in 1961, where he and Mikki raised their boys and lived until his passing. He was nationally known and respected in his work, eventually starting his own business in the credit card and information system industry that served banks, hospitals and other businesses. He never retired, but worked up to the date of his passing. He was an avid golfer, bridge player, and Cowboy fan and was dedicated to his church. But most of all, he was a friend to all that knew him and loved by all that knew him well. He was always ready with a smile, a joke or a good word. He made friends everywhere he went.

Survivors include Mikki, his wife of 67 years; son Craig and wife Sue Benner of Dallas, and their sons Kellan and Calder; son Tim and wife Amy of Shreveport, and their children, Tricia, Michael, Brianna, Avery, Cole and Gunner; his sister Marion Jones of Denver; and many nieces and nephews from around the country.

He will be laid to rest at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be at held on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 3:00 pm, at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 4151 Royal Lane, Dallas. Memorials may be made to John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 4151 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229. Online condolences can be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest .com.