Joseph Michael Wall

Joseph Michael Wall was born September 21, 1944, in Vinita, Oklahoma. On Christmas Eve 2021, he lost his fight to pancreatic cancer. He was raised by a single mother and the best big brother he could ever ask for. When he was young, they moved to Fort Worth, where his mother opened a café on Jacksboro highway. She, alongside he and his brother, eventually opened and ran Omar’s, voted one of the best night clubs in Fort Worth in the 1960’s. He was blessed to have two loves in his life. First to Barrie Wall. Together they raised two boys Sean and Todd Wall. Then in his final chapter, he squeezed a lifetime of love and laughter in with Marilyn Wall, who held his hand during the most difficult fight of his life.

After graduating from TCU in 1967, he spent 55 years in broadcasting. Starting in 1965 he spent 43 years working at KTVT Channel 11, rising from camera operator in the studio, to Production Manager, to Traffic Manager, then finishing as the Building Manager over 2 stations. He managed all of this while also being part of the local team that pioneered modern sports broadcasting in the DFW area at night and on weekends. He served as one of the invisible men and women who tell the stories that we base our lives and couch memories around. He was a storyteller who used a television camera to help paint the pictures that bonded fathers and sons together. He stayed relevant as television morphed from black and white fixed lens cameras to color cameras that could zoom to the other side of a stadium; from local networks only, to cable, to satellite, then to worldwide streaming. He went from splicing film to video tapes, to discs, to straight data. From Film to fiber optics, he was there and stayed relevant. He operated a camera until he physically couldn’t at age 76. For 55 years he helped us see the world in the best way possible.

He began with Slam Bang Theatre in 1965, serving as an ape for Icky Twerp, where he performed on the show as well as live events such as Dairy Queen grand openings. He was there at Panther Hall when Willie Nelson accepted an award wearing a coat and tie. He was there for Saturday Night Wrastling with the great Von Erich family at the North Side Coliseum. He worked the Miss Texas Pageant for 20 years. He was there when the F-16 was introduced at Carswell Air Force base. He was there when broadcasting began for a small minor league baseball team at Turnpike Stadium, which became the Texas Rangers. He continued to run a camera serving as a mainstay at the high home position next to the announcers for most of his peak years. He was proud to serve during Nolan Ryan’s 7th no-hitter. He was there when the Mesquite Championship Rodeo began televising on the Nashville Network, becoming one of the most well recognized rodeos in the country. From here he served on the fledgling production team that helped launch the PBR, Pro Bull Riders. There he became the eyes for the director and helped bring the broadcast to life as cowboys scattered throughout the arena. His longtime friend and director Ken Vincent said, “I learned quickly that I should never do a rodeo without him.” And he never did. He travelled for 10 years with the PBR, going from city to city and rodeo to rodeo, with two of his best friends nicknamed Tuffy and Farkle. He ran a broadcast camera in every season of the Dallas Mavericks existence. He was there when the Dallas Stars came to town and won a Stanley Cup. When Jerry Jones built the new stadium, he served in virtually every large event that came through since it opened. He was there at the Super Bowl, College National Championship, the Cotton Bowls, the State Championships’ which often had 3-4 games in one day, and of course every Dallas Cowboys home game.

Here in Texas, we know the value of a good biscuit. It soaks up all of the good stuff on our plate so that we don’t miss a thing. Mike Wall taught us the value of “pulling out a biscuit” and being fully in the moment to soak up the best out of life.

At home, he never failed to say I love you in both words and actions. He was steady, strong, and never rattled by stress. Mike Wall leaves behind a legacy of love and support for his family and a commitment to a craft that has become a mainstay in all of our lives. In the eyes of his family, he is a legend.

Memorial services will take place at Laurel Land Chapel, 7100 Crowley Rd, Fort Worth TX 76134

Viewing will be open from 6-8 on Monday January 3rd

The Memorial service will be at 1 pm on Tuesday January 4th. Viewing is available starting at 11 am.

Mike was preceded in death by his first wife Barrie Wall and mother Zella Wall. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Wall, Brother Richard Wall and wife Cary. Sons Sean and Todd Wall, with spouses Alison and Carol. His stepchildren, Matthew Lappin and Rebecca Pewitt with spouses Angela and Steven. He is also survived by 13 loved and supported grandchildren.