James (Jim) Harold Langford, 74, of Grand Island, originally of North Platte, died peacefully Monday, July 4, 2022, surrounded by his family at the Nebraska Medicine Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha.
Jim was born in North Platte, NE to Ray and Jeanne Langford on January 17, 1948. Jim graduated in the North Platte High School Class of 1966. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After college, he served as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service until his employment at Union Pacific in 1976. Jim was a conductor at UP until his retirement in 2008.
Jim married Peggy Barraclough of North Platte on December 29, 1968. To this union three children were born: Jason, Travis, and Jacque. Peggy passed away after 44 years of marriage. To fill the void, Jim adopted a chiweenie named Lucy. Lucy and Jim were inseparable. In 2019, Jim met Mary Hanson whom he married in June of 2020. With this union he gained another special furry friend named Abby. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Grand Island to be closer to family. They spent their days in their backyard watching birds and squirrels with their puppies Lucy and Abby, enjoying wonderful conversation during their daily wine hour.
Jim was most at home in the mountains with a fly rod in his hand chasing trout. He was a master fly tyer. Jim also enjoyed bird hunting over a good dog. His sons have many fond memories of hunting the refuge at Medicine Creek Reservoir and fly fishing at the Snake River. He spent countless hours in the outdoors hunting and fishing with his closest friends and family, leaving them with a lifetime of memories. He loved to cook for his family and took pride in his garden. He was an avid reader and very intelligent, encouraging his children to pursue their education. After retirement, he enjoyed Thursday morning coffee with his friends and playing pool in his garage. He was the second kindest soul to walk this earth.
He is proceeded in death by his wife Peggy, parents Jeanne & Ray Langford, sister Linda Harrach, and nephew Randy Harrach. Jim is survived by his wife Mary of Grand Island and his children Jason (Dawn) Langford of Grand Island, Travis (Susan) Langford of Lincoln, and Jacque Langford (Brandon Flammang) of Omaha; grandchildren Joley, Maci, Jack, Cody, Ryder, Addison, Landon, Lane, and Hudson; brothers-in-law Steve Barraclough, Jack Barraclough, and Warren Harrach; many nieces and nephews; and many lifelong friends.
Visitation will be on Sunday, July 10th from 12:00 p.m. noon to 6:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, NE. A celebration of life follows the visitation at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte on Monday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Vidya Sagar Arikotla as celebrant. Interment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment or Casting for Recovery which is a fly-fishing retreat for women affected by breast cancer. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.