James "Jim" Van Marter, Jr.

Celebration of Life Services for James E. "Jim" Van Marter will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Holdrege, Nebraska on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating. Private family inurnment will be held prior to services at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege. Memorial Book signing will be held on Monday August 7, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home.

James E. "Jim" Van Marter, 88 years of age of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Jim was born on January 30, 1929 at Monessen, Pennsylvania, to James E. Van Marter, Sr. and Mary (Crozier) Van Marter. He attended Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and graduated with the class 1946. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1946. Upon his honorable discharge in 1949, he enrolled at Kearney State College, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor's in Education. While at Kearney State, he lettered in football and track, and was a member of the Phi Tau Gamma fraternity.

In 1949, he was united in marriage to Dolores Mae "Dee" Benner, and to this union two sons were born: James Walter and David Charles. After college graduation, Jim entered the teaching profession. He taught and coached at Beaver City, Nebraska, Sargent, Nebraska, and Holdrege for 38 years, retiring in May of 1991. While in Holdrege, Jim started the wrestling program without any experience, and was the head wrestling coach for 17 years. In 1974, he became the Activities Director, and held this position for over 10 years. Jim felt that was the hardest job he ever had. During his tenure as AD, he started Invitationals in girls' volleyball and golf, wrestling tournaments, track and field invites and cross country. He also taught business courses in Economics, Bookkeeping and General Business. In 1984, he returned to the classroom and coached for the Middle School along with Warner Carlson, Brad Larson, and Mike Williams until his retirement.

During the course of his career, Jim held various positions in professional education and athletic organizations. He served as President of the Nebraska State Business Education Association, the Nebraska Athletic Director's Association, District V President, was active with the Nebraska Education Association, and the Holdrege Education Association.

In 1984, he was inducted into the Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and in 1986, Jim received the Nebraska High School Athletic Director's Outstanding Service Award. Most recently, Jim was humbled by his induction into the Phelps County Sports Wall of Honor at the Nebraska Prairie Museum in June of this year.

In 1986, Jim was appointed to the Holdrege City Council, and in 1990 was elected to the Council. In July 1992, he was appointed acting Mayor of the City of Holdrege, and in December of 1992, was elected to the remaining two years of that term. In November 1994, he was re-elected for a four year term. In February of 1992, Mayor Van Marter was elected to the Executive Board of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, and from 1997-1998 he was the elected President of that organization.

In March of 1999, Jim was appointed by Governor Mike Johanns to serve as a Commissioner on the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, and served until 2012. In 1993, Jim accepted an appointment of the Chancellor's Advisory Council at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and served until May 2002. UNK awarded Jim with its "Outstanding Alumni" award in October of 1999.

He was one of the original members of the Holdrege Economic Resources Organization, and served as president in 1995. HERO later became the Phelps County Economic Development Corporation. HERO was the leader in getting Central Community College to open a campus in Holdrege.

Jim was a member of the Holdrege Rotary Club, and served as President in 1999-2000. He thought that the services Rotary provided to Holdrege, and worldwide were outstanding and was proud to be a Rotarian. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.

Jim was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served in many capacities including: teaching Sunday school for over 30 years, also serving terms as a Ruling Elder, Board of Trustees, and Deacon.

Besides his parents; Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Dee on January 19, 2015; his son, James W. Van Marter; grandson-in-law, Ryan Bateman; two sisters: Joanne Fosselman and her husband, Ted, and Lois Cohick and her husband, Dale; in addition to many friends, and former students who have gone before him.

Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his son, Dave Van Marter of Orlando, Florida; two granddaughters: Christine Bateman of Bellevue, Washington, and Melody Faghih and her husband, Jason of New Braunfels, Texas; four great-grandchildren: Lyla and Kyler Bateman, and Avery and Parker Faghih; two sisters: Betsy Gibbs of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, and Nancy Garthwaite of Holmes, Pennsylvania; his special friend, Jacque Stroup of Holdrege; two former daughters-in-law: Linda Van Marter and Diane Gustafson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jim's honor, and kindly suggested to the James E. Van Marter Scholarship Fund, c/o the Phelps County Community Foundation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.