Korey Schow

Korey Brandon Schow, 39, of Paxton, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant.

Korey was born August 6, 1975 to Dean William and Leah Jeannette (Keep) Schow at the Ogallala Community Hospital. He was joined at home by two older brothers, Kyle and Kevin. Korey lived with his parents on a farm south of Paxton and attended school at Paxton Consolidated Schools from kindergarten through high school, where he graduated valedictorian of the class of 1994.

At a young age Korey began working in the family auction business as well as helping with all manner of activities associated with the farm. He was active in 4H, sports and band.

Korey attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and majored in Agribusiness and Technology with a minor in Economics, graduating in 1998. During college, he worked in Shelton at Continental Grain. Upon graduating, he came home to work on the family farm. Soon after, he began work at The Bank of Keystone as a loan officer. In July of 2002, he completed the Nebraska Kansas Schools of Banking in Grand Island.

On September 14, 2002, Korey married his best friend, Roxy Lynn McCoy. Together they created a home in Paxton and were happily blessed with two children, August McCoy and Ruby Eva. Korey considered his family to be his greatest treasure and his children were his constant source of pride.

Korey was chosen to be part of the Nebraska LEAD Group XXIII, 2004/05. He traveled across Nebraska, to Washington DC and China as part of their agricultural leadership training.

As Korey worked at The Bank of Keystone, he quickly ascended through the ranks of vice-president, president and CEO, the position he held at the time of his death. He was a valuable asset to the bank and a vital part of its success. Korey was chairman-elect of the Nebraska Independent Community Bankers executive committee, an organization he strongly supported. He also served on the education committee for the Nebraska Kansas Schools of Banking.

In 2013, Korey was selected as a Rising Star in Banking by Northwestern Financial Review Magazine. He was one of four recipients from the upper Midwest states region. It was an honor that duly represented his diligence and dedication to keeping alive small, independently-owned banks. He had a special place in his heart for the great customers and hard-working folks of the surrounding area and the Sandhills.

Korey always found time to continue working with his family’s auction business, Schow Auction Service, as clerk, cashier and tech coordinator. Because of his talent with technology, Schow Auction Service was one of the first auction companies to use computers for clerking. He held a Nebraska real estate license and joined forces with his brother, Kyle, at Schow Realty, Inc. when needed and maintained the business’s website. Korey was a member of the Nebraska Auctioneers Association and served as a member of the board.

Korey was a gifted man who was always willing to share his talents with others. He worked tirelessly for the Paxton Optimist Club and served as the treasurer of the Paxton United Methodist Church for many years. He volunteered as announcer of 4H livestock shows at the Keith County Fair for over a decade.

Most importantly, Korey was a gentle and patient daddy and a kind and devoted husband. He loved to plan special trips for his family but was equally happy to just stay at home and play games or take care of his lawn. Korey had an innate ability to explain and teach and his children were among the lucky recipients of that gift. Music was an integral part of his life and he loved to sing and was learning to play the guitar. He enjoyed all kinds of music but had a soft spot for classic country and hymns. Animals of all types shared a special bond with Korey, and he will be greatly missed by his special puppy, Sadie. The simple things were most important to him. He enjoyed his beat-up Ford pickup, a long drive in the country and sitting on his front porch at the end of the day.

Survivors include his wife, Roxy, and two children, August and Ruby; his mother, Leah Schow; two brothers, Kyle (Cheryl) and Kevin (Kim); two nieces and three nephews, all of Paxton; his father and mother-in-law, Roger and Jo McCoy; and a brother-in-law, James (Mandy) McCoy all of Ainsworth.

Korey was preceded in death by his father, Dean Schow; his grandparents, William and Ella Schow and Bill and Jean Keep.

Memorials may be directed to The Bank of Keystone to be used to benefit his children and their education funds.

The family chose cremation. The Memorial Service will be Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 10 a.m. in the Paxton Consolidated Schools Gymnasium. Rev. Russ Gaar of the Grant Ev. Free Church will officiate. The Service was recorded and may be seen by clicking the tribute button below. Online Condolences may be sent to drauckerfuneralhome.com.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

 Service Information