James Michael “Jim” Roblyer, 76, of Burwell passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska after a brief bout with cancer.
Jim was born on January 9, 1948, in Sargent, Nebraska to Harry and Vivian (Dowell) Roblyer. Jim loved his childhood in the Sandhills of Nebraska, recounting stories of adventures and mischief with friends and his older sister, Ann. He graduated from Burwell High School in 1966. Jim met his high school sweetheart, Cheryl White, on a night out to Oscar’s Palladium, and they were married in November 1968.
Jim joined the Navy and shipped out to serve aboard the USS Paracutin as a Boiler Tech from 1968-1971. While in the Navy, Jim made countless life-long friends that he visited in his retirement. Jim and Cheryl welcomed two children, Jason and Jill, and settled in North Platte, Nebraska.
Jim worked at various jobs until he joined the North Platte Police Department. He served in several different capacities on the force and enjoyed his work as a school resource officer.
Jim, his son Jason, and the whole family became involved in Boy Scouting, helping Jason gain his Eagle Scout badge. In the late 2000’s, Jim earned the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor for a volunteer in scouting, for his many years of dedicated service to the scouting community.
Jim and Cheryl shared many adventures including trips to Graceland, motorcycle rides through the Grand Tetons, and trips to visit Jim’s family in Oregon. Jim was a member of the Platte River Gun Club and served as an Elder at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
One of Jim’s favorite roles was being Papa Jim to Jessamyn, Madison, and Killian (he would also want grandsons-in-law Colby and Hunter included, and his favorite child, great-niece Jaylee). He was a very loving, involved Grandpa who attended all of the grandkids’ events. He loved taking Killian prairie dog hunting, and the two also acquired a decommissioned tornado siren to work on as a project. He enjoyed visiting Madison and Hunter in Colorado Springs, and once even road-tripped to Minneapolis with Jessamyn for work.
After retiring from the police force in 1997, Jim proudly worked to preserve the beauty and sanctuary of Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE for over 15 years before retiring in 2014. Jim and Cheryl returned to the Sandhills after retirement to settle in Burwell and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2018. Jim served as the Mayor of his hometown from 2017-2020, volunteered to drive the rodeo trolley, was a member of the VFW, and drove harvest truck as his retirement gigs. After Cheryl’s passing in October 2020, Jim traveled and enjoyed time with friends and family, before meeting Elaine Ginter of Bassett in early 2022. The couple shared a commitment ceremony to one another in the summer of 2023, and they enjoyed two years of traveling, laughter and adventure together until his passing.
Jim was not interested in being or becoming a “boring old man.” Even in his last days, he was joking around with his care team. Jim was what many people affectionately referred to as “a character.” He loved to sit outside and talk, enjoy a firepit, relax with a nice glass of Scotch, read a good book, talk on the phone with his niece Virginia while she drove truck, and watch The Weather Channel. Jim and Jason had the shared philosophy “Life isn’t about what happens to you, it’s about how you choose to deal with it”, and Jim often was often heard remarking “It is what it is”.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Jill (Rory); and grandson, Killian Kostman of Cozad; granddaughters, Jessamyn (Colby) Johnson of Firestone, Colorado and Madison (Hunter) Bosard of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Elaine Ginter of Burwell; daughter-in-law Stacie Roblyer of Burwell; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and outlaws.
Jim was preceded in death by his late wife, Cheryl; his son, Jason; his sister, Ann Peterson; and his parents, Harry and Vivian Roblyer.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Baptist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Pastor Joel Wentworth will officiate. Military Honors will be presented, and a luncheon will be held following the service at the church. Jim will be laid to rest at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska at a later date. The family will greet friends on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., July 18, 2024, at Still Waters Funeral Parlor.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the City of Burwell to be designated to the City Park or to the Taylor VFW. Still Waters Funeral Parlor is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.stillwatersfuneralparlor.com
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