Jerry Beguin

Jerry Beguin, 85, formerly of Kimball, NE., died on April 28, 2023. Graveside memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 12, 2023 at the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may visit www.cantrellfh.com to view his Tribute Wall and leave condolences and stories for the family. Memorials may be given in Jerry’s memory to the Kimball High School Athletic Department. There will be a Celebration of Life held at the Sagebrush in Kimball following the graveside service. The local services for Jerry have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Jerry Beguin was born August 16, 1937 to Henry and Agnes Beguin of Rushville, NE. He grew up on the Beguin Ranch south of Rushville with his brothers Blake, Blayne and Perry. Although he was a country kid and enjoyed the ranching way of life, he quickly realized that his passion was sports… he wanted to be a coach. He loved playing sports all through school.

He rode his horse to the same country school as his brothers. He graduated from Rushville High School at the age of 16. In those days the only realistic way to become a coach was to first become a teacher. He attended and graduated from Chadron State College with a bachelor’s and then earned his master’s in education some years later. Jerry took on teaching and coaching positions in several Western Nebraska small towns before finally settling in Kimball.

On July 20, 1968, he married Karen Lee Russell in Sidney, Nebraska and they made their home together in Kimball. To this union two children were born. Andrew Todd was born March 1, 1969. Amy Rachelle was born November 10, 1971. Jerry taught and coached in the Kimball Public School System until his retirement. Jerry coached Junior High track for many years. As a junior high coach, he seemed to have his hands in all sporting activities involving the Shorthorns. His first love was always his family. Karen, Andy, Amy and his grandkids were always at the top of his list and foremost in his mind. He could be seen spending endless hours participating with his children… Andy primarily with sports, Amy mostly with academic endeavors, the grandkids with all manner of things and often involving a golf cart and Karen with all the visits, barbecues and get togethers afforded them by the Kimball fraternity of teachers. He had many dear friends and loved to tell stories, play poker and softball (in his younger days).

After retirement he spent a great deal of his time at the Four Winds Golf Course. Sometimes he played golf. Sometimes he just showed up to hit a few balls and visit. He loved meeting with his golf buddies to play WOLF or any other of the numerous games designed to win bragging rights and perhaps a dollar from your friends… if only for a day! Jerry spent countless hours driving his grandkids around the golf course looking for lost balls, teaching them to drive or just enjoying life with them in general.

No story of Jerry would be complete without mentioning his passion… Longhorn Football – GO BIG RED! He touched the lives of several generations of players and families from this platform. He kept impeccable statistics of every game he ever coached. Jerry would take delight when the occasion would arise that ex-players would call him from the bar late at night because they sought his opinion to settle a friendly disagreement as it would pertain to Kimball football trivia! In the rare event he didn’t know the answer you could be assured he would get out of bed, run downstairs right then and find it in his stats!

After many happy years and a very rich life Jerry’s health deteriorated and in 2019, he and Karen moved to an assisted living facility near Andy in Nacogdoches, TX. During this time, and despite his failing memory, he would frequently inquire about the health and well-being of his many friends and dear family.

On the evening of April 28, 2023, Jerry passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Agnes, his brothers Blake (Mary Jean), Blayne (Judy) and Perry ( Verona ), nephews Klint ( Blake and Mary Jean ) and Brent ( Perry and Verona ).

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Karen, son Andy (Shere), grandsons Dreyson, Kaden and Blake, daughter Amy (Michael), granddaughters Carley and Haley and great grandsons Easton and Hudson.