James C. Parker

James "Jim" C. Parker

Jim passed away at his home in Kenesaw on January 31, 2025. He was born May 21, 1945 in Hastings, NE to Paul and Vera (Widener) Parker. He graduated from Kenesaw High School and attended Kearney State College. He served in the Army National Guard in Hastings from January 1966 to January 1972. One hundred guardsmen left from Hastings with Company B, 2d Battalion, 2d Brigade for Basic Training at Fort Bliss, Texas; then with Company A, 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He returned to the Hastings Unit 128t Engineers Company, then the entire unit transferred to 134th Infantry Company 6. A flip of a coin between Hastings and a Kansas unit determined their next path. The Kansas unit was sent for training for Vietnam. During his service the unit responded to the 1967 flooding in Kenesaw, then he was transferred to Grand Island for their flooding. The unit also served during the rioting in Omaha.

On June 4, 1966 he was married to Diane Bornemeier in Lincoln, Nebraska. They had three sons-Brent, Bradley, and Bryce. Their greatest blessing was to have all three sons and their families living in Kenesaw.

Jim worked for Nash Finch Foods, Shurigar Brothers, Turner Grain, farmed for himself, Kidd Farms, Moorman Feeds, Fairbanks International, and retired from Titan Machinery. He always thought he preferred being on a farm until an accident led him to sales, which became his new life. He treasured the customers who became friends during that time.

Jim and Randy Suck, who became like a brother, partnered to farm and sell seed, which led to many great friendships and travel to many wonderful places.

Jim served numerous terms as an elder for the Presbyterian Church in Kenesaw. He also served long term on the Kenesaw Fire Department and was a member when the first ambulance was acquired in the late 1960's. He responded to many calls for years when the only response available was "load and go to the hospital."

Jim always loved fishing and had years of adventures at Harlan County Dam. After retirement he built a house at Alma, a place he loved to share with his boys and their families. Teaching the grandkids how to fish and sharing many fun times with family will be memories treasured forever.

Survivors are his wife, Diane; sons Brent (Diane) Parker, Bradley (Amy) Parker, and Bryce (Laurie) Parker all of Kenesaw; grandchildren Lacey (Kevin) Mack, Dustin (Lauren) Mayfield, Liam Parker, CeCelia Parker, Kylan Parker, Chloe Parker, Emma Parker; great grandchildren, Titus, Tate, and Teague Mack and Nora Mayfield; nephews, Curtis Rogers, Randal (Michelle) Rogers, Ted Rogers; nieces, Mollie DeBrie (Rene Franco). Mandy (Kyle) Rohrig, Katie (Marcus) Bender and brother-in-law joel Bornemeier. He was predeceased by his parents, sister, RoAnn Rogers, and in-laws Chester and Valda Bornemeier.

Visitation will be at Apfel Funeral Home in Kenesaw from 6:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 5, and services at 10:30 on Thursday, February 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kenesaw.

Memorials to Kenesaw Fire Department, First Presbyterian Church of Kenesaw, Kenesaw Auditorium Revitalization, or Kenesaw Heritage Museum.