Richard Paul Jeffries
May 10, 1943 – January 19, 2021
Beloved husband of M. Jane Huerter; adored father of: Rick (Leslie) Jeffries, Anne Collins, Lisa (Keith) Keller and Jane (Mica Racine) Jeffries, his children from his first wife, Kathleen Turner Jeffries, who preceded him in death; dear grandfather to: Paul and Claire Jeffries, Katie and Emily Collins, Sydney, Cole, Blake and Graham Keller, and Henry and Della Racine. Also survived by his brothers, Ronald E., and R. Thomas Jeffries. Preceded in death by his parents, Margaret S. and Ronald E. Jeffries; brother, Patrick W. Jeffries.
Born in Peoria, Ill., Dick moved to Omaha from Sioux City, Iowa, with his family when he was 16. He was a graduate of Creighton University and its School of Law. He practiced law with the office Emil Sodoro; Riedmann, Welsh and Jeffries; Gross & Welch; and Cline Williams Wright Johnson and Oldfather.
Dick served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Godfather’s Pizza, President and co-owner of Team 1 Ford, and led several economic development initiatives for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Dick was a proud booster of Omaha and a long-time community leader. The organizations Dick served included Creighton Preparatory School, Creighton University, Food Bank for the Heartland, First Westroads Bank, the Omaha Public Power District, the Omaha Zoning Board of Appeals.
Thoughtful, generous and clever, Dick could make anyone laugh. His love of cars, boats and planes was exceeded only by his love for his family and friends. Despite the many health challenges of his final years, he considered himself a lucky man until the end of his life.
VISITATION: Monday, 3:00-7:00PM with family present 5:00-7:00PM. VIGIL: 7:00PM, all at West Center Chapel. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, 12:00NOON, St. John’s, Creighton University. Masks required and social distancing will be practiced. Seating is limited and registration for in-person attendance is required at www.stjohns-creighton.org.
INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Creighton University School of Law or the College of St. Mary.
To view a live broadcast of the Vigil and Mass, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.
16 Comments
I am so very sorry for the family. Dick was exceedingly kind and generous to me. All my love to Rick, Anne, Lisa, Janie, and Jane.
Love
Betsy
Dear Ann, Lisa and Jane,
My sincere condolences at the death of your Dear Dad.
He was a wonderful guy, especially when he and your Mom Kathy worked with me at Marian!
He could make us all laugh when we thought we should be
working harder!
Thank you for your great parents who encouraged us in so many ways.
You and your family are in my prayers and wonderful memories.
Dick was a successful guy who practicticed values he learned as a child. He was generous,honest and kind. Did I mention a person of unbounded humor! I loved Dick. What a friend.
Lisa and family: I’m sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time. I always enjoyed working with you, and appreciated your friendship.
Rick and family:
So sorry for your loss. Dick was such a kind and funny man. It was great to work with him so many years at Cline Williams. I know he will be greatly missed.
Jeffries Family,
As our early neighbor, Dick was a delightful blend of humorous, interesting, and decent. We have fond memories of watching you all grow under the loving eyes of your parents and especially of Dick’s hilarious commentary on your progress. Ken and I offer sincere condolences to each of you. We cannot imagine how much you’ll miss him.
Jeffries Family,
As our early neighbor, Dick was a delightful blend of humorous, interesting and decent. Watching you all grow under your parents loving eyes along with Dick’s hilarious commentary on it all was a joy. We send sincere condolences.
My deepest sympathy and my prayers to Tom and to all the Jeffries family. I knew Tom through the Christian Brothers, and knew Dick and Kathy only through their public life, but respected and admired them and the many ways they served our community. I have always admired Tom and the family from which he came – you have all made positive differences in the lives of people you have touched. May the loving comfort of Jesus bless each of you.
My deepest sympathy to the whole family. Our community lost a great supporter and friend.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dick loved his family and his friends and he sure knew how to have fun. He is going to be missed. Dick was one of my best friends, a mentor, a teacher and one of the worlds greatest story tellers. My life is better for knowing him. He taught me to fly tail wheel aircraft in Little Red with that old beanbag ashtray on the dash. We spent many hours in airplanes whether flying to a breakfast or lunch somewhere and we spent even more time at the airport talking about flying. Lunches every Saturday. Our wives called it adult daycare. He would hold court in the Blue Yonder Café on Sunday mornings and the table was always full. There will always be an empty spot at that table.
We are sorry for the loss of this wonderful storyteller and bright light among us. Our condolences to Jane, his four children and their spouses and the ten grandchildren. His many gifts will be missed, but not forgotten.
Peaceful thoughts to all of you when you think of him.
Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. Dick leaves a great family as a living legacy to a life well spent. He will be missed. God bless, Jim Cavanaugh and family
Rick and family,
I still have my white Team One Ford jacket (and hat).
Enjoyed being in the audience of Dick Jeffries. From introducing him as ambassador to Swazieland in high school to the midnight voyages and skinning dipping at Okoboji while our children slept. He enjoyed is OPPD service especially the attendant who monitored parking and would turn their cars around for a quick exit. Dick had a great life. Thanks for sharing.
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He brought joy into our lives and we shall miss him greatly.
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