Jim Warner

Jim Warner, 89, of North Platte, died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Jim was born April 25, 1929, at Stockville, Nebraska, to Jesse and Marjorie Warner. He grew up south of Hershey where he attended country school then Sutherland High School and farmed with his dad. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a short time due to the death of his father. Since he was needed at home to work and help with the family, Jim was honorably discharged in 1947.

When he returned to the family farm he worked and rode bulls and saddle bronc at rodeos. He loved horses and went on to have a 35 year career as a professional jockey. He rode numerous races throughout Arizona and California and didn't quit riding and rodeoing until retiring in 1985.

Jim married Gloria Padilla, they had three kids and later divorced. On February 2, 2008, Jim married Georgena 'Genie' Allen in Benson, Arizona. They lived in Arizona, Sutherland and Arnold before moving to North Platte 5 years ago.

Along with his horses and rodeoing, Jim loved to dance and was quite good at it. He was also a member of Otto V. Johnson Post #208 American Legion in Sutherland.

He is survived by his wife, Genie, of North Platte; children, Pam (Ron) Box, of Quitman, Texas and Jesse Warner (Michael), of San Diego, California, Jolene (Paul) Ness, of Phoenix, Arizona and Anna Barrio, of Phoenix, Arizona and their mother, Gloria Warner, of Phoenix, Arizona; stepkids, Randy Allen, of Arnold, Kevin Allen (Kelly), of North Platte and Kim (Tad) Geiser, of Kearney; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Peggy (Don) Rotert, of Sutherland; brother-in-law, Dean Valentine, of Sutherland; as well as many other family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Warner; mother and stepfather, Marjorie and Clarence Frels; brothers, Ron and Merrill 'Bud' Warner; sisters, Patricia Fitch and Opal Barclay; and sister-in-law, Mary Warner.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared online at odeanchapel.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Great Plains Hospice.