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Memorial Services for 70-year old retired Chadron State College Professor and former Chadron City Council member Jim Stokey of Chadron, NE, will be held Friday, Sept 1st, 2023 at 10:00 at the United Methodist Church in Chadron.
Inurnment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge of Omaha, or the American Legion Riders CSC Scholarship. Donations can be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com.
Jimmy Wayne Stokey was born in Lewellen, NE, on March 23, 1953 to Norma McNally and Vernon “Pete” Stokey. He passed peacefully at home on August 22, 2023, with his wife and children at his side following a 5-year battle with cancer.
Jim married his high school sweetheart Kathy on August 20, 1971. To this union three children were born: Jason Wayne, Janell Diane, and Vernon Richard. Jim and Kathy moved to Chadron when Jim enrolled at Chadron State College.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Art in 1976, he began teaching at Alliance Middle School. Their daughter Janell was born that fall. While teaching and coaching football, basketball and track at Alliance, Jim was a member of the Diversion Team and worked with at-risk youth, a group he always held dear to his heart.
In the fall of 1980, Jim and Kathy moved to their hometown of Lewellen, where Jim taught high school and coached football, basketball and track for two years before deciding to return to college.
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He was accepted into the Industrial Technology Education program at Chadron State College and graduated with a Masters degree in the spring. Son Vernon was born later that year.
Jim taught Technology, Electronics and Power at Chadron State for the next 19 years and in 1988 received the Burlington Northern award for excellence in teaching.
He took a sabbatical from CSC to work toward his Doctorate in Electronics and Power Systems at the University of Northern Iowa and received it in 1994.
His doctoral dissertation: An analysis of the Use of Programmable Controllers to Control an In Situ Leach Mine Wellfield was used as the blueprint to automate the Crow Butte uranium mine near Crawford, NE.
Jim continued teaching at CSC until the summer of 1999 when he accepted a position with Cameco Resources at the Crow Butte mine. He served as its Senior Engineer for 5 years, then was promoted to General Manager.
An even larger promotion followed with Cameco making him Vice President of Projects and Growth, operating out of the company’s offices in Casper, Wyo – a post he held until retiring in 2016.
In the summer of 2001, Jim was put in charge of Cameco’s uranium Inkai Pilot Plant in Taikonur, Kazakhstan, and led the development of a commercial uranium mine there. He was also honored with the Cameco Innovations Award in recognition of the innovative technology “Bicarbonate Make-up System Improvements.”
Jim valued his community and felt it important to share his time and expertise by serving on the Chadron City Council – including a term as Vice Mayor, the Pine Ridge Job Corp Industrial Council, and as a Scout Leader for Chadron Troup 302.
He loved motorcycles and was an active member of both the American Legion Riders and Guardians of the Children. He also helped plan and construct the local motorcycle track just north of Chadron.
Jim and Kathy celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in August with their family. More than anything, Jim’s greatest love was being surrounded by friends and family, especially during Sunday morning breakfasts at their home.
He also always looked for opportunities to put on his teacher hat whether it was with students, friends or grandkids. Many individuals benefited from his vast knowledge of all things important and interesting.
Jim was preceded in death by his son Jason, his sister Peggy, and his parents.
He is survived by his wife Katherine of 52 years, daughter Janell and husband Jake Stewart and their children Dalton, Fletcher, Maxxton, and Layah-Lucille and son Vernon Stokey and wife Tanee’ and their children Coltryn and Alyvia.
Jim is also survived by sisters Linda Stokey Thompson of Minatare, NE, Pat (Marlan) Bloyd of Sioux Falls, SD, Sue (Lloyd) Spangler of Norfolk, NE, Katherine Stokey of Gering, NE; brother-in-law Greg Gade (Peggy) of Lewellen; plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and good friends that he considered family.
Jim fought a hard fight against cancer for 5 years. He always had a positive attitude, complete trust in God’s plan, and a warm loving smile. He passed peacefully at home
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Jim Stokey.
We are sorry to his this. Kathy and family you are in our prayers.
Met Jim and Cindy early as students and dorm parents in High Rise at CSC. Such an encouragement to my mom Ruth who worked there then never forgot her after she retired. Thanks being such friends! Jim will be missed!!
Condolences to the family. Jim touched so many people’s lives. He will be missed.