Jack Todd
Jack Eldon Todd, 83, of Grant, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at his home.
Jack was born Aug. 23, 1935, at Imperial to Harold Ami and Flossie Pearl (Lidke) Todd. He graduated from Imperial High School with the class of 1953, where he was a standout athlete.
On Jan. 16, 1955, Jack married Betty Jane Wagner at Imperial. The couple made their home in Imperial, where Jack worked at the grocery store. He would later get into meat cutting and opened Todd’s Processing.
Jack felt an urge to go to college in the late 1960s, and with the help of one very supportive wife who cared for their four daughters, was able to do just that.
Following his graduation, Jack entered the field of education. He took a job with Madrid Wheatland in the early 1970s, and then in Deer Trail, Colorado where he taught and coached basketball until a severe heart attack compelled him to make a career change.
Jack went on to sell insurance with Bankers Life and Casualty, which allowed him to work with greater flexibility.
Jack had a playful personality and truly enjoyed people, especially kids. Anybody who knew him well was familiar with his witty sense of humor and affinity for puns. Yes, when you spent time around Jack, the laughs and smiles were always abundant. Jack always seemed to live his life with happiness and positivity. It didn’t take a heart attack for Jack to realize how precious each day was, he already saw it that way.
He loved to hunt, and when the first day of hunting season came around, Jack always took his daughters out with him.
Jack didn’t hold back how he felt about his family, but there was one particular gesture that seemed to encapsulate his fondness in a special way, and that was his wink. It might come amid a crowded room full of laughter or even sadness; Jack’s wink had a way of taking hold of you and assuring you of the unique and distinctive place you had in his heart.
The way that Jack lived, laughed, loved and forgave was a unique testament to the Father he himself, loved and put his faith in.
Jack’s fatherly example to his girls softly gestured to the eternal Father, whose love and forgiveness flows without obstruction or limit.
Jack was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Sadie Esme; his parents; four brothers; and four sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Grant; four daughters, Vicki (Jerry) Palser of Otis; Kristi (Larry) Regier of Buckner, Mo., Linda (Jonnie) Brumage of Thompson’s Station, Tenn., Lisa (Micheal) Buchanan of Napoleon, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; Jaci (Layne), Elijah, Ashleigh, Kylie (Johnathan), Karissa (Alex), Alisha, Austin, Lindsay (Christian), Lezlie (Tyler), Lacey (Christopher), Carson (Mylinda), Michaela, Jordan, Levi (Kiahla), Benjamin, Luke, Suzanna, Rebekah, and David; 15 great-grandchildren with one more on the way, ShaeLynne, Makaylee Drew, Wyatt, Wesley, Brogan, Mason, Mia, Maximus, Leyla, Blake, Lillian, Emmitt, Tad, Michael, and Josiah; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jack’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Interment of Cremains will be at a later date.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.