Jannet Lee McCracken

Jannet Lee McCracken lost her valiant battle with cancer on September 19, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas.  A Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce at Possum Kingdom Lake.

Jannet was the second of six children born to Lee Forest Ballinger and Gladys Graves Ballinger on June 14, 1943 in Garden City, KS.  Raised in Garden City, Kansas, she graduated from Garden City High School in 1961, and went on to attend Garden City Community College, where she met the love of her life and soul mate, John McCracken.  Jannet and John were married in Amarillo, TX on January 20, 1962.  Together they shared many adventures over their 55 years of marriage. 

Jannet’s entrepreneurial spirit provided her the opportunities to own Shari Lee’s Dress Shop and Bamboo Garden in Garden City, KS and The Green House in Cimarron, KS.

In 1980, Jannet and John moved their family to Possum Kingdom Lake, TX. There they began the commercial businesses; McCracken Construction Company, McCracken Boat Shop, McCracken Gas Dock, PK Industries, and Lake View Lodge.  She was a founding member of The Possum Kingdom Lake Chamber of Commerce, where she organized and oversaw the Mardi Gras celebration for twenty years.   Additionally she was a Charter member of Hell’s Gate Bass Club. 

Jannet filled every day with her commitment to her family, and her extended family and friends, of which there were many.  Jannet and John opened their doors and hearts to those who needed them.Her sewing skills and creative talents were eagerly shared with everyone she knew.

Jannet is survived by her husband, John W. McCracken,son Reese McCracken, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX and daughters, Kimmi and husband Jeff Barker, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX,Mandy and husband Forest Atkins, Dallas, TX, Laurel McCracken and husband Darrell Green, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX, and Misty Hanson, Temple, OK.

Grandchildren, Jeffrey Barker and wife, Denjuami, Los Fresnos, TX, Jordan Barker and wife Sarah, Mineral Wells, TX and Hunter McCracken, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX.  Great-grandchildren, Jeffery Dean Barker and Kalea Barker, Los Fresnos, TX, Aspyn Barker, Mineral Wells, TX.

 Other survivors are mother, Gladys Ballinger, Garden City, KS, sisters, Judy Buchanan, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX, Jean and husband Darrell Bryant, Cimarron, KS, brothers, Jerry and wife Carla Ballinger, Rogers, AR, Jimmy Ballinger, Garden City, KS, John Ballinger, Wichita, KS., many nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Possum Kingdom Lake Emergency Medical Service or Possum Kingdom Lake Fire Department, c/o Possum Kingdom Lake Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Service, Inc., P. O. Box 343, Graford, TX 76449 or online at https://pkfire-ems.com/fd_donations.html