John "Jack" Osborne

Hastings resident John C. “Jack” Osborne, 78, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2018, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.

Services are 11 a.m. Thursday, November 1, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett officiating. Private family burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hastings Community Foundation, 800 West 3 ^rd Suite 232, Hastings, NE 68901, where they will be distributed to various worthwhile community causes important to Jack. Visitation is Noon-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Jack was born in Hastings, NE on March 15, 1940, to Charles C. and Erma M. (Welsh) Osborne. Jack graduated from Hastings Senior High School in 1958 and from Hastings College in 1963.

Jack was an accomplished athlete throughout his high school and college career, competing in football, baseball, basketball and track & field. Jack held the NCC long jump record of 23’ 4 1/2” at Hastings College for over 40 years. Upon graduation from Hastings College, Jack taught school at Glenvil, NE; Alvo-Eagle, NE and Hyannis, NE. He enjoyed his friendships with former students and their families. Jack developed a deep love for the Sandhills of Nebraska and its special people, where he worked as a teacher and ranch hand. He spent many summers competing at rodeos in the bareback and bull riding events.

Jack married Pamela VanBuskirk of North Platte, NE on April 18, 1970, in North Platte. Jack and Pamela made their home in Hastings, NE where Jack began his employment with the multi-generation family business, Industrial-Irrigation Services in the early 1970’s. Jack served in numerous capacities with the firm over his successful and continuing 40+ year career, and developed countless lifelong friendships with employees, suppliers, and customers from near and far. Jack truly never met a stranger. Jack considered his employees and their families his own family, and sincerely cared about each of them, making certain that their needs were considered first. Jack was always fair, courteous and professional with all of his personal and business dealings; with ethics being the top consideration under any circumstance. Jack was a true sportsman in every aspect and he loved hunting and fishing with his friends and family in the great outdoors, whether in Nebraska, Wyoming or Alaska. He was taught his outdoor skills well by his Uncle Virgil Welsh of St. Paul, NE, who was a father figure during the time when Jack’s father, Charles, was serving in World War II.

Jack was a stalwart supporter of Nebraska and the Hastings community. His many years of service to numerous organizations demonstrate that commitment. Some of those included: Hastings College Board of Trustees, First Presbyterian Church, Hastings Museum, McKinley-Lanning Trust/Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation, Hastings Community Foundation, First Commerce Bancshares/NBC, Hastings Irrigation Pipe, Heritage Bank, Lochland Country Club, Elks Lodge 159, YMCA, and Ducks Unlimited lifetime member.

Jack also served his country through the Army National Guard of Nebraska, 134th Infantry Division.

Above all else, Jack was a proud and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and employer, who led by a remarkable and unforgettable example. This was no more evident than through his love and compassion shown to Pamela after her illness. Grandpa Jack, with his unique wit and humor, will be forever missed by all who loved him.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Pamela Osborne.

Jack is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Justin C. and Alison L. (Meyer) Osborne of Hastings; three grandchildren, Kingzlee, Stuhrling and Kruzann all of Hastings; his in-laws, Robert L. and Dorothy R. VanBuskirk of Hastings; his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Thomas and Nancy Osborne of Lincoln; his cousin and her husband, Jeanne and Don Reynolds of Hastings and cousin, Kathleen (Osborne) Vellenga of St. Paul, MN; his nephew and his wife, Mike and Emily Osborne of Lincoln; his nieces and their husbands, Suzanne and Jason Hince of Omaha and Ann and Bob Wilke of Lincoln; his cousins, Molly and Tom Johnsen of Hastings and Tom Reynolds of New York City; and numerous other loving relatives.