James Gessford

Hastings resident, James L. Gessford, 74, 2322 West 6th, died Tuesday, August 31, 2004 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

Services will be Saturday, September 4, 2004; 10:00 A.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel with Rev. Dr. William G. Nottage-Tacey officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, both in Hastings, Nebraska.

Mr. Gessford was born September 8, 1929, in Bloomington, Nebraska to William & Jessie (Dunlop) Gessford. He graduated from Holdrege High School, where he was class president in 1947. He started racing cars in 1948 beginning with Roadsters, Coupes, Modified, Sprint and finally the World-of-Outlaws until he retired from racing in 1983. On May 14, 1950, he married Erlene Karlson in Funk, Nebraska. They moved from Holdrege, Nebraska to Hastings, Nebraska in 1955 and started Gessford Machine Shop. He also owned Country Equipment in Wilcox, Nebraska. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, an active member of Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association and served on the National Board of Directors for 6 years. He was also a member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame and past president of the Lions Club in Wilcox, Nebraska.

Mr. Gessford was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert

Survivors include,
Wife: Erlene Gessford - Hastings, NE
Daughter: Jane Ogea - Omaha, NE
Son & Daughter-in-law: James B. & Judith Gessford - Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: PJ Ogea - Omaha, NE
Chatella Ogea - Omaha, NE
Nichole Gessford - Lincoln, NE
Ben Gessford - Omaha, NE
A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial may be given to The Family

VISITATION: Thur. 9-2-04; 1pm-9pm
Fri. 9-3-04; 9am-9pm
Sat. 9-4-04; 9am until service time