A memorial service and Celebration of Life for 88-year old Northern Panhandle native James “JR” Batie Jr of Doniphan, NE, will be held Sat, Jan 13, at 11:00 CT at the Faith Christian Church in Grand Island, NE, with Daniel Naranjo officiating.
There will be a gathering of family and friends from 10:00 until the service begins.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the following: Nebraska Order of Eastern Star Therapy Dogs, the Shrine Hospital, or the Masonic Eastern Star Children’s Home in Fremont.
James Russell Batie, Jr was born May 9, 1935, to Russell and Carrol (Stroud) Batie in Chadron, NE. He passed away on Sunday, Jan 7, 2024, at his home in Doniphan.
Jim grew up in Hay Springs, NE, graduating from Hay Springs High School in 1953. He then attended UNL before enlisting and serving in the U-S Army. He returned to UNL after his time in the Army and finished his degree in Electrical Engineering.
While working in Columbus, JR met Ruth Howard and they were married Jan 23, 1965, in Columbus, NE, during a snowstorm. They went on to live in Denver, CO, North Platte, NE, Greeley, CO, Columbus, NE and Hastings, NE, before finally moving to Doniphan in 1978 and staying there to the end.
JR was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Eastern Star, joining in 1965. He was Past Master of Keystone Lodge #62 AF & AM and Past Worthy Patron of Andrew Chapter #41 and Phillips Chapter #204. He had the pleasure of serving in Eastern Star with his wife and daughters Anne and Justine.
JR was employed by Consumers Public Power District and Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District, which merged to become the Nebraska Public Power District. After 26 years of combined service, he retired in August of 1996.
JR enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, particularly his grandchildren and four-legged grandkids. He also enjoyed “family-friendly” card games, solving the world’s problems at morning coffee, cars, racing, driving the Shriners GoCarts, and Thursday’s Pie and Coffee group, along with doing word searches.
He was an avid Nebraska Husker fan, having also been part of the UNL Track team as a long-distance runner, following in his father’s footsteps.
JR is survived by his wife of 58 years Ruth; daughters Anne Batie Kephart of Chadron, Carrie Batie McKinley (Jason) of Cheyenne, WY, and Justine Batie of Doniphan; and grandchildren Ayla Kephart and Anna, Dominic and Elizabeth McKinley.
He is also survived by his sister Marilyn Kadlecek of Stratton, NE; brother-in-law Paul Howard (WA); sisters-in-law Mary DeMik (IL), Edith Perry (WI), and Lynette Howard (WA); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister Edith Martinez; brothers-in-law Charles Kadlecek, Joe Martinez, Lee Howard, Ray Howard, Sebren “Jr” Howard, Duane Howard, Harold Howard and Richard Howard; and sister-in-law, Marcella Lenzen.
All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements for James “JR” Batie Jr.