James Painter

Memorial services for James "Jamie" Painter, age 54, of Hoskins, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue, in Norfolk, Nebraska. Clark Jenkinson will officiate.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus-Howser-Fillmer Funeral Home, 901 N. 13th Street, in Norfolk

With hurting hearts, we would like to let everyone know that the human fishing handbook otherwise known as James "Jamie" Painter will no longer be able to give advice, as he has passed away and is onto seeking the best fishing spots in the waters of Heaven. He was often known for his expertise on the best spots, bait, poles, water temperature, or pretty much any fishing advice (wanted or unwanted). James passed away on January 19, 2026, surrounded by family and friends in his home in Hoskins, after an intense six-month battle with cancer. James was a man of many names, and went by Jamie, Jim, Paint, Painter, and Dad, depending on where and how you knew him.

Jamie was born on January 4, 1972, in Norfolk, to Dona (Dobb) and Jerry A. Painter. He attended grade school in Hoskins, at Hoskins Community school. At an astounding height of 6'9, of course he played basketball throughout high school at Winside High School, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1990. He very briefly attended Wayne State College and began his legacy of making lifelong friends and memories.

During his younger years, his grandpa Don Painter sparked his incredible and lifelong love of the outdoors, most specifically hunting, fishing and occasionally golf (though we're not sure if he liked playing or the bar cart more). In these hobbies, he continued to make these memories and somehow make a new friend anywhere he could. During his early 20s he met the love of his life, Barbie (Beach) Painter, and they were married April 27, 2002. Jamie and Barbie shared almost 24 years of marriage together, raised three daughters, many dogs and cats (to his disdain) and even got to welcome a granddaughter into the world. Their marriage is best described by the two of them with the quote "I have found the one who my soul wants." In their 24 years, they were known for their incredible sense of humor together, the way they continued to date, and the intense love they shared with each other.

The only thing James loved more than hunting and fishing were his three girls Jacie May Painter, Kelcie Jane Painter, and Allie Kay Painter. Through his beloved daughters, who he and Barbie referred to as "the Painter Trifecta", Jamie "Dad or Daddy" experienced life through a lens (or scope) he had never seen before. Jamie and Barbie both passed their strength and stubbornness to all three daughters. Though stubborn, he said his daughters served as beacons of hope, reminding him of life's beauty and resilience. His title of dad also taught him the boundless capacity of the human heart, to give love and be loved. He accredited a lot of his growth and self-discovery to being a dad of girls. He often felt family life could be summed up by the quote "We may not have it altogether, but together we have it all."

In September 2024, a new love of his life entered the picture: his granddaughter Opheleah Jane Painter. She was his sunshine on cloudy days, his laughter through hard times, and his forever treasure.

His enjoyment and adoration of God's beauty of the outdoors, and his love for people brought him to his job of 27 years, being a delivery man for UPS. He spent countless hours in the little brown truck and made even more friends. Through laughter he made human friends, and through milk bones he made four-legged friends. Most of his dedicated time at UPS, he spent as the delivery man for the Crofton area, where he continued to grow friendships and memories, and eventually became an honorary and loved member of their community. He was known both inside and outside of work for saying "if you see someone without a smile, give them yours."

James left behind his beloved wife of 24 years Barbie "Beach" Painter of Hoskins; his girls, Jacie, Kelcie and Allie Painter of Hoskins; his granddaughter, Opheleah Painter; his sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Ryan Wehrle of Stanton; his niece and nephew, Hanah Wehrle of Wayne and Taylor Wehrle of Valley; his mother and father-in-law, Bernard "Bun" and Shirley Beach of Creighton; his brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Teresa Beach of Sioux Falls; and his niece, Abby Beach of Gretna.

He is reunited in death with his parents, Jerry and Dona Painter of Hoskins, grandparents, Betty Jane Dobb of Stanton and Iola and Don Painter of Belden; and many beloved pets.

To know Jamie was to love Jamie. He had a knack for being a people person, which made him many cherished friends in his 54 years. In this loss, Jamie would want us to find strength. He asks that we remember this is not a goodbye, as his spirit lives in every heart and life his big hands touched. This is not goodbye, this is see you on the other side.

"The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."