Jo Ramsey Decker was born in 1925 in San Angelo, Texas, and grew up on ranches in Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma. She rode in her first rodeo in Alpine, Texas, at age four. An accomplished horsewoman, she was chosen as a Ranch Sponsor Girl at the Madison Square Garden Rodeo in 1944 and 1946. There she met and married All-Around Champion Cowboy Tater Decker.
Jo Decker served as a rodeo secretary for 25 years throughout the United States. At one time or another, she worked for rodeo contractors Albert Harris, Gene Autry, Everett Colborn, Beutler Brothers, Harry Knight, Hoss Inman, Harry Vold and Mike Cervi. She also played an important role in planning and coordinating the first National Finals Rodeo in 1959, at which she carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies.
During the 1950s, Jo Decker began designing western clothing, first for herself and then for a growing clientele that included Rex Allen, Rose Maddox, Lynn Anderson and Princess Grace of Monaco. Her Jo Decker Originals were featured in a special department at Neiman Marcus.
Jo Decker received the Tad Lucas Memorial Award in 1999.
Bio
EVENTS Rodeo Secretary Tad Lucas Memorial Award
Jo Ramsey Decker was born in 1925 in San Angelo, Texas, and grew up on ranches in Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma. She rode in her first rodeo in Alpine, Texas, at age four. An accomplished horsewoman, she was chosen as a Ranch Sponsor Girl at the Madison Square Garden Rodeo in 1944 and 1946. There she met and married All-Around Champion Cowboy Tater Decker.
Jo Decker served as a rodeo secretary for 25 years throughout the United States. At one time or another, she worked for rodeo contractors Albert Harris, Gene Autry, Everett Colborn, Beutler Brothers, Harry Knight, Hoss Inman, Harry Vold and Mike Cervi. She also played an important role in planning and coordinating the first National Finals Rodeo in 1959, at which she carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies.
During the 1950s, Jo Decker began designing western clothing, first for herself and then for a growing clientele that included Rex Allen, Rose Maddox, Lynn Anderson and Princess Grace of Monaco. Her Jo Decker Originals were featured in a special department at Neiman Marcus.
Jo Decker received the Tad Lucas Memorial Award in 1999.
