Jimmy Thayer Obituary

Jimmy Thayer

July 6, 1940 - January 26, 2026

Jimmy Thayer, age 85, formerly of Hampton, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 31st at Pleasant View Bible Church in Aurora. Rev. Bob Gannon will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Pleasant View Bible Church. Memorials may be made in care of family to be designated at a later date. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com. Full obituary to appear in next weeks edition.

OBITUARY: JIMMY THAYER

Jimmy Dick Thayer, the son of Henry Andrew and Helen (Hansen) Thayer was born in Newman Grove, Neb. on July 6, 1940, and passed away in Kearney, Neb. on January 26, 2026, at the age of 85.

He grew up and graduated from Rusken High School. Jimmy attended business college for two years and then served in the U.S. Army from October 1963-October 1965 and was honorably discharged to return and serve in the Reserves for four more years. Jimmy was a Federal Meat Inspector for 26 years. Jimmy had to go to Texas A & M College to receive his training to become a meat inspector.

On September 10, 1965, he was united in marriage to Karen Nadine Bartley of Red Cloud, Neb. at the Hastings Court House. They had three children: Kevin Thayer of Aurora, Stephanie Holloway of Phillips and Steven Thayer of Kearney. They resided in Hastings for three years before moving to Grand Island. They lived in several locations with Jim's Postal Job and Federal Meat Inspector Job.

Jimmy was a member of Faith Community Church in Aurora. If you looked at his Bible, you see how much he loved reading God's word every day. He loved to go deer hunting, camping, fishing, BBQ's, scratch tickets and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Karen; sister, Janice Bohling; brother, Marvin Thayer; and a grandson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his three children, Kevin James Thayer (Athello Hanson) of Aurora, Stephanie Jean (Stacey) Holloway of Phillips and Steven (Marie) Wayne Thayer of Kearney; two brothers, Mervin Thayer of Deshler and Ben Thayer of Dannebrog; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and other family members and friends.

Higby-McQuiston Mortuary