Owen McDougal, Jr

Hastings resident, Owen James (O.J.) McDougal, Jr., 89, of 933 Ronan Drive, died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at BryanLGH Medical Center West, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Private family burial with military rites in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Memorial service will be Friday, January 2, 2009; 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. William Nottage-Tacey and Rev. John H. G. Curtiss officiating. Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church, Hastings College-McDougal Scholarship or Hastings Museum Foundation. Visitation will be Thursday, January 1, 2009; 7:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M. at the funeral home.

Owen James (O.J.) McDougal, Jr. was born August 3, 1919 to Bertha (Sandusky) and Owen James McDougal in Tecumseh, Nebraska. He was a graduate of Tecumseh High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was a member of Acacia fraternity. He later attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He enlisted in the United States Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor, serving as a Captain in the Field Artillery of the Fifth Army Division in World War II. The division served in the Italian and North African campaigns where he earned a Bronze Star. Following the war, he was employed by the University of Nebraska Extension Service. He married Julia Crom in 1952. They lived for three years in Banes, Oriente, Cuba where he served the United Fruit Sugar Company as a research agronomist. In 1957, he was employed by City National Bank of Hastings as an Agricultural Representative. He served the bank in several capacities, retiring as President in 1984. He then remained for ten years as CEO and Chairman of the Board. McDougal was a member of Masonic Lodge 317, Hastings Valley Scottish Rite, and the Tehama Shrine. He held the Jordan Medal for Masonic Lodge 317. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, serving as deacon, elder, and trustee. He was a Boy Scout volunteer for Troop 200. His community activities were numerous. He was a long time member of the Hastings Museum Board. His depth of intellect and willingness to serve made him a valued member of the Hastings College Board of Trustees Finance Committee and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Board. He was inducted into the Hastings College Pro Rege Society in 2000. McDougal served as president of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, Hastings Economic Development Corporation, and the Noon Rotary Club. He also served on the Salvation Army Board, the Hastings Board of Education, the Adams County Agricultural Society/Fair Board and advisory boards for Good Samaritan Village and the Hastings Regional Center Board.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one brother, and son Owen James (Jimmy).

He is survived by his wife, Julia of Hastings, daughters Ann and husband, Dr. Robin Koozer of Hastings; Susan and husband, Stan May of Greeley, Colorado; Sarah of Des Moines, Iowa; and three grandchildren, Margaret (Maggie) Koozer of New York City, Catherine (C.J.) Koozer of Hastings; and Christopher James of Greeley, Colorado.