John Jimenez, Jr.

John Jimenez Jr., 70, longtime Ogallala resident, passed away Saturday, September 9, 2017, at the Bryan Health Hospital - West Campus, in Lincoln.

John was born August 5, 1947 in Ogallala, the son of John and Wilma (Bottrell) Jimenez. He attended school in Big Springs, graduating from High School in 1965. 

John was drafted into the Army in 1967 and was stationed at Pleiku, Viet Nam. Because of his heroic efforts and wounds received in action he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. John also received the Combat Infantryman Badge.

After discharge in October 1968 he resided in Florida for several years. He then returned to Nebraska in 1974 and was employed as a law enforcement officer in McCook. 

In 1975 John returned to the Big Springs area and worked on the family farm. He owned a semi truck and hauled sugar beets to Ovid, Colo. for several years. He also worked other jobs before beginning a career as an engineer with Union Pacific Railroad. He retired in 2013. 

John met Marcia Thomas in 1975 and they made their home in Ogallala. His hobbies included collecting model cars and Union Pacific train sets. He especially enjoyed going to car shows. John was a member of the Lutheran faith. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, an infant sister, and an infant brother. 

Survivors include his wife Marcia Jimenez of Ogallala; his children: Scott (Heather) Thomas and Jill Funk (special friend Bud Vaughn), all of North Platte; and Tina Moore of Spring Hill, Fla.; two brothers: Jim (special friend Donna Gordon) Jimenez of Brule and Jay (Trish) Jimenez of Grant; three sisters: Judy (Mike) Soper of Big Springs, Janie Jimenez of Brule, and Joyce (Kelton) Korth of Fort Lupton, Colo.; several aunts and uncles: Edna & Jim Geels of Topeka, Kan.; Goldie Bottrell of Eaton, Colo.; Frank & Delia Jimenez of Big Springs, and Annie Alvarado of Berthoud, Colo. Also nine grandchildren. 

Visitation is on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home. The Funeral Service is Friday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m.MDT in Draucker Funeral Home with Rev. Jon Dickmander of Brule St. Johns Lutheran Church officiating.

Interment is in Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT with military honors by the Lincoln County Veterans and the Nebraska Military Funeral Honors Team.

Condolences may be sent by signing the Guest Book.  the Service will be live streamed for those unable to attend. 

A memorial has been established in his name for later designation.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is entrusted with the arrangements

 Service Information