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James Gilbert Obituary
KEARNEY - James N. "Jim" Gilbert, 60, of Kearney died of cancer Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at his home.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rebecca Hjelle officiating. Private burial will be at Kearney Ceme-tery before services.
There will be no visitation. O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was born Oct. 8, 1947, in Coatesville, Pa., to Byron and Doris (Cohen) Gilbert.
On June 26, 1971, he married Elizabeth "Libby" Martin. She died in 2003.
Survivors include his daughter, Jennifer Hunter and her husband, Nathanael, of Kearney; brother, Robert and his wife, Irene, of Foster City, Calif.; sister, Susan of Las Vegas; and grandson, Patrick Hunter of Kearney.
He grew up in Coatesville. He was a longtime Kearney resident. He was a professor and former chair of the department of criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He received his bachelor of science degree in criminology from California State University at Long Beach, his master of science degree in criminal justice education from Eastern Kentucky University and his Ph.D. in adult education concentrating in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Author of the college textbook, "Criminal Investigation," he was also a 1996 winner of a Pratt-Heins grant awarded by UNK for outstanding scholarship and research. This award is the most prestigious award a faculty member can receive from UNK.
His teaching career spanned 36 years, of which the last 20 years were at UNK. Prior to that, he taught criminal justice for four years at Radford (Va.) University, four years at Chadron State College and eight years at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill.
Before joining the academic world, he was in law enforcement, which included positions as a security officer for Wackenhut Security Corp. in Los Angeles, police cadet for the Santa Monica (Calif.) Police Department, police officer and investigator for the Berkeley (Calif.) Police Department and as a special agent investigator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Jacksonville.
His hobbies and passions included an encyclopedic knowledge of the American Civil War, writing numerous fiction and nonfiction articles and short stories, maintaining his skill as an accomplished artist of sketches and portraits, and continuing to pursue his love for attending and discussing movies and theater.
In addition to his wife of 32 years, he was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bennett.
A reception will follow services at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences or personal reflections can be submitted at osafh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Gilbert
Joe Morales
January 22, 2019
RIP Jim Gilbert. I cant express in words how much you influenced my life and career in law enforcement. You were a true law enforcement professional and a college professor who left an impression and made an impact in my life. God Bless you. Joe Morales Retired Assistant Chief United States Marshals Service. ❤
Zee Hamilton
November 8, 2008
sorry about your loss Jen. I've lost both of my parents so I know it feels to be alone, but remember you're not really alone.
Dale and Zee
Kathy J. Campbell RN
October 21, 2008
Jen and Nate :
What total *JOY* you both brought into Jim's life when you created your son Patrick. Jim's eyes would light up everytime he spoke of holding,rocking,and singing to his grandson.
Jim SO enjoyed talking with Nate on his cell phone at the end of Nate's workshift. To me Jim related his great memories of your Alaska cruise, and of his (once little) daughter playing in the backyard, and of the horse drawn carriage at your wedding.
Jim was a classy guy,a generous man,and a true scholar.
Most admirable about his textbook writing is that Jim included real life stories from C.J. professionals all over the USA. He himself is part of American history -- quelling the unrest on the streets of the west coast in the 1970's...
Jen -- losing both parents must be devastating. DO take consolation in watching Jim's intelligence and warm wit surface DAILY as Patrick grows.
It was an honor to know Jim on an intellectual and social level.
Many mourn with you.
Robin Gibreal
October 19, 2008
I feel like I have lost my mentor. I had Dr. Gilbert for several classes and always loved his personal stories and calm demeanor. I remember sitting next to him in the front row of several CJ conferences talking back and forth about the speakers. He was fascinated in my stories of the BTK and I was fascinated in his experiences. The last time I saw Dr. Gilbert was sticking his hand in the ice cream freezer at Apple Market and I joked with him about getting fat. Of course he turned it back to me and asked how grad school was going. I had to tell him I didn't know if I would go back to school and he told me I needed to because I would be a good counselor and then he said "you know what, that is what I see you doing whether you believe it or not" That same single tear I shed that day is the same tears I am shedding today. I was so looking forward to telling Dr. Gilbert how he inspired me into going back to school for my grad degree and am in the process of moving back to Nebraska to do so. He was my mentor!
Helen Sexton
October 15, 2008
I did not know your father but he had a very positive impact on my daughter who is a criminal justice major at UNK.
He went above and beyond to assist my daughter. I was told that he excellent teacher and a wonderful friend. He will be missed.
John Inks
October 9, 2008
I am deeply sorry about your loss. There is nothing I can say that will lift the greif from your heart, but perhaps i can offer some words of comfort.
Those whom we have lost are never truely gone. As long as we remember them
Your father lives on withing in your heart and with in your precious memories of him.
God Bless
John Inks (J.J.) Columbus Nebraska
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Funeral services provided by:
O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home - Kearney4115 Ave. N P.O. Box 2344, Kearney, NE 68847
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