John Michael Paris

John Michael Paris, 93, of Mitchell, NE, died Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Masonic services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 24, 2014 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will be 3:00 p.m. Friday at Crawford Cemetery. John was born June 9, 1920 in New York, New York to Michael John and Xenia (Calamas) Paris. He received his undergraduate and post graduate education at Adelphi University, Garden City, NY and post graduate from Columbia University in New York, NY. While at Adelphi University, he was active in several student organizations. John entered the Army during WW II serving in the European Theatre and receiving the Medal of Merit, France-Belgian Citation, Presidential Citation and 3 battle stars. John married Irene Reeves of Crawford, NE November 23, 1943 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. John was employed as an executive of Equitable Life Society in the Denver, CO office and assistant superintendent of Beef Cattle Research Station at Fort Robinson, NE. He was a cow/calf rancher in Crawford, NE before retiring to Scottsbluff in 1997. John was past president of the Crawford School Board, Crawford Hospital Board for 4 years and Cripple Children Board for 2 years. He served as a Dawes County Commissioner 16 years, President of Nebraska County Officials Association 5 years; Nebraska Crime commission, 20 years and vice chairman of Crime Commission for 13 years; Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, 6 years; National Association of County Officials Crime board; Panhandle Mental Health Board of Directors, 13 years; Greater Nebraska Health Systems Agency, 2 years; Community Action Agency, 14 years; Area on Aging; RSVP; Job Corps, 10 years; Governor Thone’s Task force; RC&D; Water Conservation Board. John was a member of National Cattlemen’s Association, 35 years; Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association 31 years; Masons; Shriners; Elks; Eagles; VFW; American Legion; Longmont, CO rodeo Board; Who’s Who in Nebraska; Board of Governors, West Nebraska Community College, 5 years; Board of Directors, Nebraska State Patrol Foundation, 18 years. John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Irene; sons: Michael John (Charlene) Paris, Atkinson, NE; Mark Walter (Carolyn) Paris, Haslet, Texas, and Lance Paul (Iris) Paris, Crawford, NE; 2 grandsons: Damien John (Tiara) Paris and their daughter Audry and Nicholas Andrew (Kelly) Paris and their daughter Abby; sisters: Ann Russo, Miami, FL and Doris Dantuono, Long Island, NY. John was preceded in death by one sister.