James Ourada

James D. Ourada James Ourada, 55 of Overton died Monday, February 11, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney shortly after admittance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, February 15, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm creek with the Rev. Jose Chavez celebrating. Family will be present to greet friends 5:00 to 7:00 at the church with a vigil / prayer service beginning at 7:00 P.M. Burial will be at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Elm Creek. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Online Condolences or personal reflections may be submitted at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jim requested casual clothes or camouflage. James D Ourada was born September 19, 1957, in Kearney, NE to Donald and Donevieve (Kaps) Ourada. He received his education in Elm Creek, graduating in 1975. After high school he worked on the family farm, and then he began farming and raising cattle on his own. He started his selling career working for Walnut Grove then Golden Harvest ----He finally found his dream job working for Rusty’s Fertilizer. His gift of talking served him well in his selling career. He earned Seed Adviser of the Year in 1999. Jim was such a special salesman as he took special care of his customers. He knew every field and what was needed for every single one. He was active in the Corn Growers Association and served as Director of both Dawson County and the Nebraska Associations. He traveled to Washington D. C. for meetings related to biotechnology issues while in these positions. He would even coerce his wife Renita into make rolls to share with his customers. He would run for parts, take over operating the equipment in the fields , help move equipment around or whatever his customers needed to be done. However, it seemed like every time he showed up they’d have a break down so to tease Jim they’d put his picture in every piece of equipment with a big hex sign on it. Jim thought got a kick out of that. His passion for children was evident when he served as the supervisor of the in-school suspension room, Lexington Public Schools. He was respected by those students and made a positive difference in their lives. They still call him Mr. Ourada. When Jim and Renita got married he also embraced 3 little girls that he helped raise to the wonderful successful women that they are today. He went with Renita to all of their activities at school. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and attended the First Christian Church with Renita and the children. When J.D. was little Jim would sneak up on the warm water sloughs. J.D. would be in the pickup and start honking the horn and their passion for hunting was ignited. He could be very hard and demanding, but also very tender hearted and caring. He even helped to care for nieces and nephews when needed. Jim was a charter member of the Pheasants Forever Chapter. Jim enjoyed hunting, but as his physical ability declined he become a hunting guide. He was involved with the Falconeer’s Association lining up places to hunt with their birds. When they had their International Convention at Kearney people from all over the world had Jim’s assistance as a guide, making many live long friends. Helping people in need was always of importance to Jim. He even honored a lifelong farmer, by taking a picture of the last field he was cutting. Jim enlarged the picture and presented it to the retiring farmer! His notable comments when asked ?" how are you doing were: “Just taking baby steps forward. One step at a time” “The sun comes up in the east and sets in the west” Those are good days.’ “Well I’m still kickin’” Survivors include his wife, Renita of Overton; son, JD Ourada of Overton; daughters, Janelle Francis and husband, James of Lincoln, Selena Kiger and husband, Art of Overton, Chandra Bray and fiance, Justin Anderson of Pahrump, NV; grandchildren, Jorja and Jager Francis, Dusti and Cinch Kiger, and William Virchow; mother, Donnie Ourada of Elm Creek; sister, Kathy Gifford of Kearney; brother, Mike Ourada and wife, Marsha of Overton: sister-in-law, Gloria Ourada-Simonson and husband, George of Elm Creek; and many treasured nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, father; brother, Nick Ourada; brothers ?"in-law, Mike Gifford and Bryan Kenning and sister-in-law, Donna Kenning.

James Ourada

September 19, 1957 - February 11, 2013