Joyce Marie Rasco

Joyce Marie (Owen) Rasco, 86, gained her wings with the angels on June 5, 2025 at her home in Pampa, TX surrounded by family and loved ones.

Services will be 2:00 PM Monday, June 9, 2025 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Pastor Jamisen Hancock, pastor of Briarwood Church, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 3:00-4:30 PM.

Joyce was born on March 19, 1939 to O.B. and Mattie (Ferguson) Owen in Pampa, Texas. At the age of 5, Joyce was adopted and raised by her oldest sister and her husband, Margie and Reg Brown, after the early death of her parents. She attended school in Pampa, graduating from Pampa High School in 1957. On Good Friday, April 16, 1965 she married the love of her life, Gerald Rasco. Together they raised three children, Gary, Diane, and Kristy.

In high school she was active in Girls’ Choir, Latin Club and Tri-Hi-Y. She was very creative and enjoyed ceramics, painting, and crafting. Gerald and the children were very active in ALL sports and Joyce always accompanied them on their adventures. But when Gerald started playing golf, she became hooked. She proceeded to become very good at it and, apparently very competitive, as well. She obtained several hole-in-one shots, held the City Championship for Women’s Divisions several times and held the Ladies Championship title at Pampa Country Club, as well. She also loved attending and serving at numerous Chuckwagon Cook-Offs and events with Gerald.

Joyce worked for Malcolm-Hinkle Plumbing, Heating and Air from 1962 to 1990. In 1990 she co-owned / worked at Granny’s Hobbies and Gifts with Alma Lamberson. They ran the store for 4 years when they both decided to retire. However, Joyce went back to work in 1994 at Larry Baker Plumbing, Heating and Air. Gerald and Joyce also owned and operated several businesses together from 1980 through 2009 including Rasco Oilfield Service, Top of Texas Tubing Testers and Rasco Construction. They both officially retired in 2009. After retiring Joyce and Gerald traveled quite often with friends and family for golfing and other adventures.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her beloved husband Gerald Rasco; her precious daughter Diane (Higgins) Sexton; her parents, O.B. Owen and Mattie (Ferguson) Owen; her adoptive parents (sister) Margie and Reg Brown, other siblings Walter Owen, Janey (Owen) Cooper, and Charles Owen; nieces Barbara (Brown) Linn, Bonnie (Brown) Immel and nephew Regenal Brown, Jr.

Joyce is survived by her favorite “fur-baby” Bert Rasco; son, Gary Higgins and wife Vonda of Pampa; daughter, Kristy (Rasco) Wheeler and husband James of Amarillo; son-in-law, Tim Sexton of Pampa; one grandson, Jacob Sexton of Pampa; two granddaughters, Sarah Smith and husband Bryan of Tulsa, OK and Jill Underwood of Sapulpa, OK; three great-grandchildren, Deja Fritts and husband Michael of Pampa, Shelby Underwood and Tyner Underwood of Sapulpa, OK as well as many nieces, nephews and life-long friends that she treasured.

The Rasco family would like to acknowledge and extend much appreciation to Interim Healthcare Hospice for their services and support during our mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s. We could not have made it through without each one of their staff members. Special love to our lead nurse Angelia Curtis.