Jim Keller

J ames 'Jim' Keller, age 70, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away at home surrounded by his family on August 4, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim was born to Phillip and Wauneta Keller on September 16, 1950, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, where he grew up. After graduating from Ainsworth High School, Jim attended Milford College and received his Associates Degree then returned home to work for his dad at Keller Electric.

On June 27, 1978, Jim married Barbara Garner McVay in Sturgis, SD. They lived in Ainsworth until moving to North Platte in 1979. Jim hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and worked as an electrician until retiring in 2010.

Jim loved being outdoors and was a member of the Platte River Sportsman Club. He enjoyed camping, bow hunting and cutting wood for the family fireplace and serving others when in need. Jim believed in helping people through his donations of blood and platelets with the Red Cross. Jim especially loved his family and his dogs as well as attending his kids and grandkids activities. He was commonly known as a 'Gentle Giant' who had a servants heart. Jim will be remembered as a kind, generous man who was always willing to help.

He was preceded in death by his father, Phillip Keller.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife, Barbara, of North Platte, his dog, Tiny, and his mother, Wauneta Keller, of Hershey; children, Bob (Missy) Keller, of Maxwell, Beki (Col. Mike) Varicak, of Atlanta, GA, and Cathy (Mike) Christ, of Kearney; his brother, Bob (Stacia) Keller, of Longmont, CO; sisters, Bonnie Bellin, of Johnstown, CO, Valeta Hallsted, of Wyoming, Rosalind (Bruce) Beebout, of Kearney and Rhonda Keller (significant other, Russ Billingsley), of Hershey; 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other family members.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 2021, at the Plainview Cemetery, south of Maxwell, with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com or from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the American Red Cross.