James L. Faimon was born July 28, 1947 in Stratton, NE to Rudy and Rose (Janousek) Faimon. He was raised on the family farm south of Stratton and graduated from Stratton High School with the class of 1965. He attended McCook Community College and graduated from Kearney State College in 1970 with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. Jim married Mary Elizabeth Hunter on August 16, 1969 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte, NE. He served in the United States Army at Fort Lee, VA from 1971-1974 as an instructor of the aircraft supply system. In 1974, Jim and Mary moved back to the family’s farm, and he devoted the remainder of his life to farming.
He and his wife were active members of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in rural Atwood, KS, where he served on the Parish Council. He was a member of FCSLA (formerly Catholic Workmen), where he followed in his father’s footsteps serving at the local, state, and national levels in various offices. Jim was proud of the fact that his family was named National Catholic Workmen Family of the Year in 2001. He was a life member of the VFW where he served as Quartermaster of local post 9155 for many years. Jim was a charter member of the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group in Stratton, NE which he attended regularly as long as he was able.
Jim loved motorcycles (almost as much as he loved buying a new motorcycle) and later in his life taking anyone he could on a Ranger ride. He liked to ride over to the neighbors’ and stop in for a chat. Jim made it a point to connect with neighbors, friends, and family. One of his favorite holidays was Halloween (mostly the candy), taking the kids around for hours from neighbor to neighbor. Jim loved gadgets, especially flashlights, pocketknives and thermometers. He was also into rain gauges! He loved polka music and a good church potluck. Jim loved to make his grandkids laugh, even though we were never sure what he was going to say, and it might not always be appropriate. He took his grandkids on many wagon train rides and always volunteered to bring the wagon train to a social event. Jim always knew when the next Husker football game was and made sure to hit record.
Jim had very high standards and expectations and felt that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right. When his children were old enough to help him with chores, his expectations did not waiver. As they took their turns helping through the years, they all learned to appreciate the lessons learned. Their time with their dad had a hand in shaping the work ethic and character of each of his children. Jim was as tough as nails and survived multiple health challenges over many years. After a hospital stay, he would have Mary drop him off in the field to get in the tractor on the way home. Even within the last couple months, Jim managed to get into the tractor to move some snow. He was a tenacious, stubborn old farmer, handling business until the end. If you knew Jim well, you know that he was always up for a good western movie. He was even able to watch one of his favorites with his girls right before he slipped away, peacefully at home, with family near his side.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; parents-in-law, Hank and Helen Hunter; and sisters-in-law, Mona Faimon and Harriet Ford.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary; his children: Amy Halstead (Rod) of Kearney, NE, Jeff (Tiffanie) of Omaha, NE, Scott (Melanie) of Omaha, NE, Jenny Anderson (Michael) of Arvada, CO and Kayla Wood (Eric) of Arvada, CO; 17 grandchildren: Caleb, Jacob, and Hannah Hardy; Logan, Bryce, Charlie, and Bo Faimon; Aliya, Rylee, Hallie, and Josiah Anderson; Eli, Seaton, Jonah, Claire, Grant, Hayes and baby Wood (due in August); brother, Leonard (Judy) of Colorado Springs, CO; his sister, Rita Otis (Don), of Omaha, NE; his sister, Donna Fromm (Jeff) of St. Joseph, MN; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and aunt, Sister Agatha Faimon; as well as his brothers-in-law, Tom Hunter (Barb) of Columbus, NE and Bob Hunter of Arvada, CO.
Jim Faimon passed away early Tuesday morning, March 5, 2024 at his home in rural Hitchcock County. He was 76 years of age.
A rosary will be recited at 7PM on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in rural Rawlins County, Kansas.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, March 8, 2024 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in rural Rawlins County, Kansas. Burial with full military honors will follow services.
Memorials in Jim’s memory are suggested to McCook Community Hospital Hospice. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel.