James Coghill

James Coghill

Nov. 4, 1942 - June 23, 2024

KEARNEY, Neb. - James Coghill, 81, of Ogallala, NE, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb.

Jim was born Nov. 4, 1942, to Wilson Kesler and Pauline (Beaty) Coghill in McCook, Neb. As a small child, his parents farmed near Marion, Neb. He graduated from Beaver Valley High School in Lebanon, Neb., in 1960, McCook College in 1962, and Fort Hayes State College in Hayes, Kan., in 1965.

Jim married Erlene Cline at Parks Methodist Church on July 11, 1965. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968 at Camp Pendelton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, NC, in the military police department.

Jim and Erlene had two boys, Bradley James Coghill and Curt Coghill. He managed stores for F.W. Woolworths in Grand Island, North Platte, Bellevue, South Omaha, and Cheyenne, Wyo. Then, he managed TG&Y Stores Co in Wichita, Kan., and Papillion before the couple bought their own NAPA Auto Parts store in 1980 in Ogallala and built and managed West Side Storage in 1996 until their retirement in 2003. After retirement, Jim worked part-time for Farmer’s Mutual Ins. as a crop adjuster. He had a special interest in antique cars, attending car shows, and traveling by motor home. In 2012, the couple purchased a home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Jim was preceded by his parents and a sister, Barbara.

Jim is survived by his wife, Erlene, of Ogallala; sons, Bradley (Jenny) Coghill of Whittier, Calif., and Curt (Meggan) Coghill of Bennington; granddaughter, Hannah; and sister-in-law, Merril Jane (Marvin) McMichael of Lincoln.

A memorial has been established in Jim’s memory. Condolences can be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell at 2 pm CT. Car enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their cars in honor of Jim.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.