James William Secord

James W. (Jim) Secord, age 79, passed away at his home in Syracuse, NE on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. On November 2, 1942, Jim was born in Nebraska City, NE to his loving parents William J. Secord and Lois M. (Hoback) Secord. He attended school and graduated from Nebraska City High School with the class of 1961. After high school, he joined the Army National Guard and served for six years. On September 2, 2000, he married his wife Tammy, and they were blessed to share nearly 22 years together. They enjoyed traveling throughout the country and spending time with loved ones.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara A. Secord, sister Jeanne M. (Secord) Barrett, and brother John F. Secord. He was also preceded in death by many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Tamela (Tammy) Secord of Syracuse, NE, his daughter Julie A. Hartman of Omaha, NE, and his son Brian J. Secord (Mandy Oden) of Auburn, NE; stepson Jeffrey Casey (Leah McClure) of Kansas City, MO; seven grandchildren: Michael Hartman, Dakoda Oden, Summer Davis, Anna Secord, Brody Davis, Izabella Oden, and Harleigh Secord; sister-in-law: LuAnn Snyder (Mitchell); many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Jim spent his early years working for Western Auto and JCPenney before becoming a full-time employee for Nebraska City Utilities for the next 32 years. He spent his final working years as a Building Inspector for both Nebraska City and Douglas County, Nebraska, from where he retired. Jim was a member of the American Legion and the Nebraska Cushman Motor Club. He spent his retirement traveling around the country with Tammy and other special relatives and friends. He enjoyed fishing and often joked his skills as an angler must have skipped a generation. He enjoyed driving around the countryside and preferred the backroads to a highway. He loved his kids and grandchildren intensely and always wanted them to know how proud he was of them. A teacher once told him that still waters run deep. He was a thoughtful man who would rather listen than speak. He was always quick with a compliment and a kind word and will be missed dearly. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, at Gude Mortuary in Nebraska City. Burial will follow at Wyuka Cemetery in Nebr. City for immediate family with Military Honors conducted by the Nebraska Army National Guard and the Talmage American Legion Post.

There will be open visitation on Thursday (3/10) and Friday (3/11) for those who would like to sign the memorial book or view the video tribute for Jim.

Memorials may be given to the family. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Gude Funeral Homes Facebook page.

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