James Lavern Mcchesney

James L. McChesney, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney on November 18, 2015.

Jim was born on September 13, 1930 in Lebanon, NE, to Percy and Eunice (Evans) McChesney. He served in the US Navy from 1951-1954 aboard the USS Curtiss after graduating High School in Indianola in 1948. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad 42 years. During that time he was stationed 28 years in and around the Ogallala area as a Telegrapher/Clerk before going to Engine Service as an Engineer. Jim retired as an engineer on his 65th birthday. He married Mary DeVoe on September 30, 1995 at Lake McConaughy.

Jim retired in 1995. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and watching Husker Football and especially riding his bicycle. He recently logged 1160 miles in just two years on his bike. He enjoyed coin collecting. He always kept special gold dollars ready to give to grandchildren and servers at restaurants. He also enjoyed woodworking and collecting fishing lures and anything else interesting he could find on the beaches of Lake Mac.

Jim had red hair in his younger life and could be strong minded at times showing his Irish/Scottish heritage. He was a very beloved father, husband, and grandfather. He loved to tell stories about his time aboard ships in the Navy with great detail and especially liked to tell the stories of being present when Atomic Bombs were tested.

Family meant the world to Jim, especially the youngest of the group. He was also very fond of the family’s dogs.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Eunice McChesney and step-daughter, Stacie Coomes.

Jim is survived by wife Mary of Ogallala; son, Jim (Daniella) McChesney of Ogallala; daughter, Melody (John) Deaver of Grant; and step-son, Shawn (Tina) Devoe of Ogallala; 9 grandchildren, Johnny Deaver, Jill (Trevor) Johnson, Nathan (Christine) Deaver, Jolene Deaver all of Grant, Angela (Andy) Anderson of Kimball, Hunter DeVoe, Bella DeVoe, Braden DeVoe, all of Ogallala, Taylor Coomes of Casper, WY; 10 Great Grandchildren, Natalie, Russell, Mya, Jake, Jazelle, Nayla, Ray, Skylar, Ava and Jax; 3 brothers; 1 sister; along with many other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Jim’s memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM at New Hope Church with John Long officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Ogallala Cemetery with military honors provided by the Keith County Veteran’s Organizations. Memorial book signing will be held on Sunday, from 1 PM to 4 PM at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.

Bullock-Long and Prairie Hills Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.