Breckenridge Texan

Jo Ann Aurand

Jo Ann Aurand
October 03
09:00 2022

Jo Ann Aurand, 77, of Breckenridge, passed away in Abilene on Thursday, September 29, 2022. A memorial service celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022, in the Melton-Kitchens Chapel of Memories.

Jo Ann Casale was born in Albany, Texas, in 1945 to parents James Casale and Francis (Martin) Casale. Jo Ann attended Breckenridge High School and graduated in 1962. In 1963, she married Ronnie Martin. The couple had one son, Steve. In 1974, Jo Ann married her second husband, Eddie Aurand. From Texas, Jo Ann moved to California for a short time before relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. And on September 3, 1994, she married Richard Self. The couple called Las Vegas home until the early 2000s. While in Vegas, Jo Ann worked for Convention Services, Inc. – a company she was with for almost two decades! She always looked at the next convention job as a new adventure. Her level of professionalism and knowledge made her one of the most sought-after people in her field. From there, they moved to Bullhead City, Arizona. And finally, in 2018, they moved back to Breckenridge to be closer to her family.

During her younger years, when Steve was drag racing, you could always find Jo Ann at the racetrack cheering him on. Steve’s wife, Pam, once asked Jo Ann how she could stand watching him race down the track at such fast speeds. Jo Ann noted that drag racing was something he 100% loved doing, and since she always knew Steve was being as safe as possible with the high-octane sport, she had to make sure to show her support.

If you asked anyone to describe Jo Ann – especially Richard – the words loving, kind, and caring would most certainly be used. She didn’t have an unselfish bone in her body. But sometimes, that Italian heritage in her would come to the surface and she’d say what was on her mind. And if she said it, she absolutely meant it!

One thing most people might not know about Jo Ann was that she was an avid collector – some might say “organized hoarder” – of boots and shoes. In fact, an inspection of her closet on any given day could result in finding at least 40 to 50 pairs of Justin Roper boots still in their boxes! She undoubtedly had footwear in every color the brand ever created.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, James and Francis; her first husband, Ronnie Martin; her second husband, Eddie Aurand; and one brother, Buddy Heflin. She is survived by her husband, Richard Self; son, Steve Martin and wife Pam; three grandchildren, Janell Ensey, Kevin Gayler, and Jody Martin; and five grandchildren, Julian, Carly, Raylen, Kensey, and Ryder, all of Breckenridge. She is also survived by her sister, Ginger Webb, of Bullhead City, Arizona, along with many friends who will miss her dearly.

Memorial donations in Jo Ann’s name can be made to a charity or organization of the donor’s choice and can be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.

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