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John McCollister
1921 - 2013
John McCollister
1921 - 2013
Obituary
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BORN
1921
DIED
2013
John McCollister Obituary
John S. McCollister said his father died at an Omaha hospice, surrounded by family, after a battle with cancer. McCollister, a Republican, was a three-term congressman in Omaha's 2nd congressional district, serving from 1971 to 1977.
"After 92 years, he's had a good life, and we want to celebrate it," the younger McCollister said. "The great number of people he mentored is remarkable. He had so many close friends, and was very heartfelt in his political beliefs."
The plain-spoken McCollister handed Rep. Glen Cunningham the only electoral defeat of his career when McCollister won the Republican nomination in 1971. Cunningham had served seven terms before McCollister beat him in the general election.
McCollister hired Hagel as an aide while he was in Congress. Hagel, who later became a U.S. senator, credited McCollister with shaping many of his views and practices. During a March 2007 news conference, he called McCollister the finest public servant he had ever known.
"I will always be indebted to him for placing his trust and confidence in me, and for his continued friendship and advice over the years," Hagel said in a statement Friday. "The people of Nebraska have lost a great leader, and John Y. will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he changed."
The congressman served three terms in the House before deciding to run for the U.S. Senate in 1976. Omaha Mayor Ed Zorinsky switched to the Democratic party and beat McCollister in the general election.
McCollister never ran for another elected office, but he continued serving the community by helping organizations such as the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, graduated from the University of Iowa and joined the Navy to serve in World War II.
"Congressman McCollister was an outstanding Congressman and represented Nebraska with distinction," Gov. Dave Heineman said in a statement. "He was a World War II veteran, a dedicated civil servant, a respected business leader, and he was a good friend. He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer said McCollister, an early co-chair of her campaign, provided her with counsel and insight due to his service in Washington and Nebraska.
"Today, Nebraska lost a principled fighter, our state Republican party lost a great leader, and I lost a dear friend," Fischer said.
GRANT SCHULTE, Associated Press JOSH FUNK, Associated Press
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
47 Entries
November 10, 2013
Steve and family. Have been out of town and just found out. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family on your loss.
Tom Johnson
Keith and Linda Graeve
November 8, 2013
To the McCollister Family: Linda and I are saddened at the news of John Y's death. He was a friend and inspiration. We were blessed to know him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
hyde
November 6, 2013
To the family and friends of Mr. Mc Collister you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. May the God of comfort, comfort you in your time of need. May Mr. Mc Collister sleep in peace until he is awakened be our Heavenly Father.
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Stephanie Baldwin
November 5, 2013
My heart is sadden to hear of your passing. My God Bless your soul with the Holy Spirit. May you have internal life.
November 5, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. Please find peace and comfort in knowing God cares for you and will help you in your time of need. At 1 Pet. 5:7, He invites you to "throw all your anxiety upon Him." Continue to rely on Him for strength during this difficult time.
Tom & CynDi Heinrichs
November 5, 2013
Our heartfelt condolences to your family in this trying time. Our prayers are with you.
November 4, 2013
So very sorry for your loss please accept God's word for comfort.
November 4, 2013
Beloved family and friends, I hope you can find comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father, the God of all comfort promises to bring our loved ones back to life( John 14:14,15)
RICK & Jan Limpach
November 4, 2013
I always enjoyed talking with your dad when you would bring him to Digitronix. He was one of the most kind and warm hearted man I ever met. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Roger Holthaus
November 4, 2013
John was a great representative of the people and a good friend to many of us common people. He will be greatly missed by all.
Cynthia
November 4, 2013
May the God of all comfort and peace be with your family fond memories.
G Alexander
November 4, 2013
To the Mccollisters family and friends, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Mary Buglewicz Duffy
November 3, 2013
To the McCollister Family,
John Y. McCollister was an office holder who possessed integrity and an unwavering vision of what was good for his constituents.
My father, George Buglewicz, and John Y. were colleagues on the Douglas County Board of Commissioners . Many times, I remember hearing my Dad saying that he always knew where John Y. stood. While they were of different political parties, they treated each other with respect and dignity.
What wonderful role models they are for the political office holders of today.
May you be comforted by the wonderful memories you have of your father and the wonderful tributes that have been paid to him. Rest in peace, John Y.
Ms Ruby
November 3, 2013
My condolences to the family and may you look to the future with confidence when death, sorrow and pain will be no more but eternal life in a peaceful new world will prevail.
The Carters
November 3, 2013
Our heartfelt condolences for the loss of a great man and congressman. Representative McCollister was devoted to serving the people, a passion that is progressively fading away. May your precious memories of him prove to be a source of comfort during the difficult times ahead, and may you continually draw close to God in prayer knowing that he will draw close to you and grant you peace.--James 4:8.
Vivian Minott
November 3, 2013
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family. I do understand the pain, the grief, and the feeling of helplessness one can have when a loved one has been taken away by death, it can seem unbearable but please take comfort in God's word ( psalm 36:9).my condolences.
G J.
November 3, 2013
To the entire McCollister family. Please accept my condolences. May the God who gives peace be with you all in this time of sorrow. Rom 15:33.
sheriff tim Dunning
November 2, 2013
One of a kind. The first person to encourage my run for Sheriff. My hero.
November 2, 2013
To the McCollister Children,
Gosh, I am so sorry to hear of this. I remember having dinner with all in the family in Washington DC after John was elected. I must have been about 19 years old but I still remember it well. He was an honorable man and I am proud to carry the McCollister name.
Micki McCollister, Palm Springs CA, daughter of Ed McCollister
November 2, 2013
I need to share an experience. I went to church on nov. 1st at 7am at St. John Vianney near Oak Hills. As I was driving back home I thought of your dad. I thought " I wondered what John Y is doing." Uncanny isn't it? Sincerely Bonnie Menks and family.
Bill Miskell
November 2, 2013
John, Steve and Family
What a great man - I am sorry for your loss but he left quite a legacy.
You will be in my prayers.
Judy Yacio
November 2, 2013
I went into the McCollister for Senate campaign admiring and respecting John Y. Our entire family came out of that campaign loving and admiring him as well as Nan even more. I am so thankful he had Betty's companionship in his later years. John Y. McCollister will always have a very special place in my heart. What a blessing to know him.
Matthew McGuire
November 2, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Suzanne Myers
November 2, 2013
On behalf of Encompass Senior Solutions, I would like to express our sympathy to the family. It was an honor to care for Mr. McCollister. He will be missed. His contributions continues to make a difference in our community.
Dick Hanneman
November 2, 2013
John Y (with Nan) was a great and positive influence in my life as I served for two years as his special assistant in his final two years on Capitol Hill. With all the corruption and lack of character manifest in Washington politics, John Y served as a visible counterweight -- a man of high principle, an articulate defender of American values and a proponent of reasoned legislative deliberation...a serious man who did not take himself too seriously. He touched many lives, including mine. Our prayers are with his family. May they remember him as an examplar of all that can be good in public service.
November 2, 2013
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
Linda Sisan
November 2, 2013
Although we've never met, I was saddened by the loss of your beloved family member. Reading about his many accomplishments during his life, is remarkable. Family can find comfort in knowing he was respected by many. May , the God of all comfort ", be with you. (II Cor.1:3&4)
Mary Hansen
November 2, 2013
I enjoyed working on projects with John Y at Church. He was a wonderful person.
Amy Steinauer
November 2, 2013
A life well lived....and so much of it spent in service to others. Our community was so blessed to have him. My condolences to Betty and the McCollister family. Rest in Peace John Y!
November 2, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to your family. Rely on God during this difficult time. He promises that "...he will also make a way out in order for you to be able to endure it."- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Betty Fowler
November 2, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family of John McCollister. May you all find comfort from God, the source of all comfort. John lived a long life of special mightiness from God at Psalms.90:10. Cherish those memories in your hearts and minds.
November 2, 2013
To the McCollister family: Death is a heartache that no one can heal. Yet, love is a memory that no one can steal. I am truly sorry for your loss. Ps. 145:14
Jane Dowling
November 2, 2013
God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.
November 2, 2013
May the God of all comfort be with you.
Sincerely,
G J
November 2, 2013
To the entire family. Please accept my sympathy. May the God who gives peace be with you all in this time of sorrow. Rom 15:33.
November 2, 2013
My condolences to all. John is peacefully resting. Ecclesiastes 9:5
jw
November 2, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in the words written at (Jeremiah 29:11,12)
J W
November 2, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss. In themselves the days of our years are seventy years. And if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; For it must quickly pass , and away we fly. (Psalms 90:10)
Robert Austin Allison
November 2, 2013
To the family, friends and fans - sorry for your loss. Here is a poem I wrote, hope this helps in this difficult time of sorrow, grief and remembrance.
http://authspot.com/poetry/im-sorry-67/
Dwayne Bickham
November 1, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Bill Fead
November 1, 2013
Thanks for your Military Service to Our Country.
Past Commander V.F.W.
Karen Welch
November 1, 2013
As a member of the scouting community I would like to say God rest and thank you for exemplifying the Scout principles and ideas through out his life
November 1, 2013
My deepest sympathy to you and your family may the god of all comfort be with you as you put your trust in him through this time of sadness. 2 Cor 1:3
November 1, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to your family. Find solace in the fact that our Heavenly Father knows what you are going through. He is “greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (1 John 3:20) Continue to rely on Him for strength during this difficult time.
November 1, 2013
Pete and I are so sorry to hear of John Y passing. Our family was privileged to know his entire family. I personally recall John Y telling me that to be a successful at work you need to always have a great attitude. I know he helped me, because I always carried that went me. Sincerely, Bonnie Menks
Suzanne (Suzie) McCollister
November 1, 2013
My heart is saddened today by your passing. I'm grateful and comforted knowing your in the hands of our Lord; no longer the need to fight. Rest in Peace Uncle John, I will miss your encouraging, inspirational words and all your positive wisdom.
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