It is with deeply sad hearts that we announce on Wednesday, the 8th of April 2026, James Jones (J.J.), age 63, of Ogallala, NE passed away at Great Plains Hospital in North Platte, NE.
James was born in Anchorage, Alaska at Providence Hospital to Homer Eugene Jones and Wanda Jean Jones on September 12, 1962. He was the youngest of five siblings. As the youngest, he loved to follow his siblings, especially his brothers, and imitate everything they did and try to be just like them. He spent his childhood living in Anchorage until most of the family moved to the Blackrock area of Arkansas in 1975, where he eventually graduated from high school and went to college at Southern Baptist College, where he studied ministry.
In the early 1980's, he moved back to his beloved Alaska where he worked for the KFQD radio station in Anchorage. He taught himself everything he knew about radio, and had a very powerful, unique, and charismatic radio voice that everyone loved. He loved to call sports games, especially football. He loved to fish on the many different rivers in Alaska and would brag to anyone of just how many fish he could catch.
In the late 1980's, he met his wife, Susan Todd of Holland, Michigan, and on February 3, 1989, they were married in Soldotna, Alaska by James' oldest brother, Bill Jones. On February 3, 1991, on their second wedding anniversary, Susan gave birth to their daughter, Allison, in the very same hospital that J. J. was born. Over the first few years of her life, James and his wife spent time caring for their daughter in Alaska with her numerous heart complications. James was a very devoted husband and father and did much traveling between his job and the hospital to be with his family as much as he could.
In 1994, the family moved to Rodgers, Arkansas and lived close to James' second oldest brother, Tim, and his family, where they spent the next few years.
In the beginning of 1998, James and his family moved to Ogallala, Nebraska for a work opportunity. There, J.J. spent his time working for RCS, formerly known as PSI, as well as calling local high school football and basketball games for the KOGA radio stations.
Throughout the years, the family finally settled in their house on the hill, where they enjoyed many wonderful views of the many storms that rolled through on warm summer nights. James loved to watch any severe storm, always admiring God's power on display in the sky.
His passion was his family, radio, and his love for the Lord. He was a very devoted Christian with great faith in Christ and strong drive to share God's message to everyone he could. He eventually started his own radio station from home, Nightside Radio Studios, and then his own show, the JJ McCartney Show, where he had many passionate discussions on everything from religion to politics. He loved to be in Ham Radio and managed to acquire his Ham Radio License in record time to the call sign of AD0MG.
James is survived by his daughter, Allison of Ogallala, NE; his oldest brother, Bill (Gwen) of Alaska; a sister, Cindy (Wayne) Tocher of Anchorage, Alaska; brother, Tim, of St. Paul, Minnesota; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
His memorial services will be held at Grace Point Church in Ogallala, NE on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 in the morning. He will then make the journey to Alaska, where his ashes will be spread in the rivers that he loved best.
Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com.
The Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala, NE has assisted the Jones Family with arrangements.