James S. Sackett
October 7, 1942 – July 31, 2022
Jim Sackett was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 7, 1942, the son of Charles Arthur Sackett and Lucille Pangborn Sackett. Early in his life, the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where Jim grew up. He developed a strong work ethic from a young age, with a paper route and odd jobs around his neighborhood. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960. He then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in English and Spanish. He was a member of the Pershing Rifles, a military-oriented National Honor Society. During his college years, Jim was introduced to Lois Roker on a blind date, and they married in 1964. That same year, following college graduation, Jim enlisted in the Marines, hoping to make a career out of this service to his country. He became a member of “Mike 3/7” (3rd battalion, 7th Marine division, “M” company) and was deployed to Vietnam in 1966. He served in the infantry as a first lieutenant and was combat wounded when a landmine took his right foot. After rehabilitation, Jim worked to regain active-duty status. He excelled on the rigorous Marine Corps Combat Fitness test in spite of his disability, but was denied by Navy command, who would only allow him to serve on non-combat status. Jim rejected the offer to continue in that capacity, and retired from the Marines with an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain.
Upon his retirement from the service, Jim and Lois lived briefly in Oaklawn, Illinois, where he worked for Illinois Bell. Eventually their Nebraska roots brought them back home to Lincoln, where they settled down with their two daughters. Jim completed his Master of Business Administration and spent the rest of his career at Ameritas Insurance Corp. (formerly known as Bankers Life Nebraska), in various roles that included mortgage finance officer, real estate investment analyst, and compliance officer.
Once retired from working life, Jim and Lois moved to Elkhorn, Nebraska to be closer to their daughters and their three grandchildren. They spent the last 25 years dedicated to being devoted grandparents, rarely missing a single baseball, softball or basketball game. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, on April 30, 2022. They are survived by their daughter, Ashlyn Conover; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Scott Custard; grandchildren: Brianne Conover, Calvin Custard, and Conlan Custard.
Visitation: Friday, August 5, 2022, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, followed by Funeral Service 11:00AM, all at West Center Chapel. Interment with Military Rites: Omaha National Cemetery. Memorials will be directed by the family.
To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
10 Comments
So sorry for your loss. Must be difficult to lose two parents in such a short time but take comfort knowing they are together again.
Our deepest sympathy for thw whole Family. Jim has been amazing to get to know and be around the last 9 years we have had the absolute pleasure of knowing him. His conversations always kept us in smiles, his kindness was beyond measure. He will be dearly missed.
Ashlyn & Cheryl: Our condolences to you and your children: We were sorry to hear of Lois’ death and now your father. I worked with Lois for many years at IMS and was so glad to having met your father. May they both rest in peace.
Susan and I were so sorry to hear of your loss and send our condolences. As Dave said, it must be tremendously difficult to lose two parents in such a short time but comforting to know they are together again. Our prayers for comfort and peace to you and your family.
Ashlyn, you know our hearts hurt with you. Your parents were so lovely, kind, funny, good Christian people and we will miss them both terribly. I am so grateful they were part of our lives. It has been a blessing over the past 18 years having you and them 🙂 as our neighbors.
My deepest sympathy to all of you. Can’t believe Jim and Lois both have gone in just a few months. Never easy to lose a parent much less 2 is such a short time. You have many good memories with them I know I sure do, May you find comfort in them and the days ahead. Thoughts and Prayers to all of you
My wife & I were saddened to hear of both Lois & Jim passing.
My past history is knowing both Lois and her sister Nancy & goes clear back to the 1950s, when my brother {Alan} had a paper route.
We would deliver newspapers everyday to The Reverend Roker & his family.
My brother also graduated with Lois in 1957.
My sister {Marilyn) & my wife {Linda) graduated with Nancy Roker in 1964.
I graduated with Jim in 1960.
Even though we did not hangout at LHS, I remember him as a very nice and very active in school activities.
He also helped out with the class reunions and even conducted several class reunions and did an excellent job, Wouldn’t expect anything less than a team effort, as Jim always seemed to give 100% to tasks assigned to him.
Jim, Lois & Nancy will be remembered by many as three of the nicest people you ever met in life.
Our sympathy goes out the the Sackett & Roker families, may they rest in peace.
David & Linda Brill
Jim and I were classmates and teammates on the track team at Lincoln High. We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies.
We are sorry to learn of Jim’s passing, and also that of Lois. I worked with Jim at Bankers Life Nebraska (now Ameritas), and he was a very classy person. While we were in different departments, Jim knew almost everyone in the building and was great at creating lasting friendships. Our prayers and sympathies to your family.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom and Dad in such a short time. I remember Uncle Jim and your Mom coming to Texas for a visit many years ago. We went water skiing, there is a whole story there, but I remember how much fun we had that day. I pray that you find comfort in the many sweet memories. I would love to hear back from you.
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