John B. Main

Sept. 10, 1926-Dec. 21, 2010

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Johnny Main, age 84, of North Platte, passed away Dec. 21, 2010, at his home.

Johnny was born on Sept 10, 1926, the youngest of seven children, to Glen and Ella May (Brethower) Main. He grew up in and around Benkelman, Nebraska and graduated high school before enlisting in the Air Force at the age of 17. He was a Flight Engineer on a B-29 through the end of the war. When he came home from the Pacific he met Beryl Steele, "the prettiest bookkeeper I'd ever seen," while working as a mechanic at Robertson Motors in Benkelman and they were married Nov. 9, 1947. They moved to North Platte in 1959. He worked for Western Motors until 1972 and then managed the JC Penney Auto Center until it closed. Then he returned to Western Motors until he retired in 1988. He lost his wife to Leukemia in 1982. Some time after that he began repairing clocks and maintained N & J Clock Repair for nearly 20 years.

John began playing guitar at the age of 10 and never stopped. He played with Country Music Benkelman until moving to North Platte where he joined the Riverside Orchestra and then the Country String-a-Longs. Through the years he has played with nearly every musician in the entire area including all of his four children. He was instrumental in helping young musicians develop their careers.

John had the honor of being inducted into the Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

He was a quiet, honorable man who touched many people with his music and with his business associations.

John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He enjoyed making his own flies and lures.

Johnny Main will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father and five of his brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his brother Leonard (Rita) Main, sister-in-law Berta Main, his son Steve Main (Lori Dodson), his daughters Tina (Russ) McKeehan, Wendy (Terry) Engleman, Chris (Jim) Calhoun. Also, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and special friend Margaret Gifford.

A memorial has been established and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 at Adams & Swanson Chapel. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside.

Visitation is today until 9 p.m., at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.

Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.