James Robert Kearns (Jim) was born June 15, 1937 at Saint Joseph’s hospital in Alliance Nebraska to Thomas and Gladys Kearns (McParland). Jim was the youngest of three children. He grew up on the family farm north of Hay Springs next to the Metcalf state wildlife area. Jim attended country school close to home and attended high school in Hay Springs until the family moved to Rushville in 1953. Jim graduated from Rushville High School in 1955.
After graduating high school, Jim got his first taste of construction, a career he grew to love, working for Ralph Strong construction. He worked on many projects, including the construction of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, now Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. As work was slowing down for the winter in December 1958, Jim decided it was time and he volunteered for the Draft and enlisted in the Army. He was inducted in January 1959 and completed boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood Kansas. After completing his Basic Training he was stationed with the US Missile Defenses near Providence Road Island, where he served until his discharge in January 1961.
Jim met the love of his life Phyllis Grass while attending a dance in Hay Springs in the spring of 1958. They attended several dances that summer and when Jim enlisted in the Army, they stayed in touch through letters and a very rare phone call. Jim proposed to Phyllis while back on leave in 1960 and the couple made plans to get married. Phyllis flew out to Boston where Jim met her and they were married October 29, 1960. The young couple lived in base housing for the last 3 months of Jim’s enlistment and then the couple returned to Rushville taking the train.
Jim and Phyllis had three children, Sandra, Keith and Christina who they raised in the only log house in Rushville.
Jim spent 11 years working as a parts man for Peck and Dewitt, Blackie Schoenthaler and Hank Rabeler. In 1972 Jim got his chance to get back into construction and went on to have his own business as a Brick/Block mason. Jim always loved construction because he could see something growing from his work and knew that years later he could go back and still see the results of what he had built. When his health prevented him from working construction full time he went back to working as a parts manager for Gunnar Riis. Jim’s taste for running his own business was still there so when he got a chance to buy the 20 bar in Rushville from Bill and Ruth Musfelt he jumped at the chance. Jim had a special attachment to the 20 bar since it had been owned by his brother Paul before. This was a second career that Jim loved where he found a good home for the many stories and jokes he could tell at the drop of a hat. Jim managed the 20 bar for 10 years until the wear and tear of construction took a toll. Jim ended up having numerous joint replacements due to them being worn out. Jim did go on to run a rural mail route for nearly 20 years between Rushville and White Clay.
Jim played an active role in his community, serving 28 years as a fireman and EMT, he served many years on the County Veteran’s board and Cemetery board. He was active in The American Legion where he was a member for over 50 years, serving in office positions at the Post, County, District, State and National levels. He also took pride in being a member of the Sons of The American Legion, a member of over 28 years to honor the military service of his father, the first Marine from Sheridan County. In the Sons of The American Legion, Jim served as the State Commander for 2 years.
Jim was an avid sportsman. He loved to hunt and fish, spending time with his children and grandchildren in the outdoors. His greatest passion was probably goose hunting, which was the highlight of his winter every year where he made plans to go hunting every week at the pit he leased.
Jim was called home to Heaven on October 18, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister and his daughter Christina.
Jim lived a full life and is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughter Sandra (Doug Budd), son Keith (Miriam), grandchildren Jenee (Chris Furman), Douglas, Justin, Kailee (Tate Hansen) and Samantha (Clark Orr), 10 great grandchildren (one on the way).
Services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church as follows: Rosary Tuesday October 22, 7:00 pm, Funeral, Wednesday October 23, 10:00 am. Interment will be at the Rushville Cemetery with a meal following at the Immaculate Conception Church basement.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the Rushville American Legion and donations may be sent in care of Keith Kearns, PO Box 433, Hay Springs, NE 69347.