James Eugene Rudolph, age 77, of North Platte, NE, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Jim was born September 29, 1938, to LeRoy Eugene and Elizabeth Christine Roth Rudolph in Missoula, MT. Jim was raised by his mother and stepfather, Joe Roster, in Carson, ND where he also attended school.
In 1956, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served active duty until 1962 then served with the Nebraska Army National Guard from 1963 to 1976. Following his discharge he returned to North Dakota then moved to North Platte where he sold shoes for Pat’s Bootery and did detail work for McKay Motors. Jim hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as a Brakeman then was promoted to Conductor. He was known on the railroad as “Jumpin Jimmy” and retired from there in 2007. He later volunteered at the Golden Spike and RSVP, and drove cars for dealers.
On July 21, 1963, Jim was united in marriage to Linda Faye Edwards in North Platte where they lived and raised their family. He loved his family and children and always had a quarter to give to the kids.
Jim was a member of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and a life member of U.T.U. He enjoyed restoring his 1963 SS Nova Convertible and geocaching.
He is survived by his three daughters, Lisa (Kevin) Sheffield, Lynnette (Ben) Niles and Tisha (Jason) Reed, all of North Platte; a son, Scott Rudolph, of Ogallala, NE; 15 grandchildren, Jourdan (Kerry) VanderLey, Joshua (Allie) Sheffield, Megan (Jonah) Alvarez, Ashlyn Sheffield, Kaitlin (Alex) Herstedt, Lauren Rudolph, Alex Rudolph, Evan Rudolph, Jensyn (Kyle) Bell, Kaelee Rudolph, Annalyse and Emmalyn Niles, and Amberlyn, Jakob and Justin Reed; 11 great-grandchildren, Beau James VanderLey, Ava and Amina Sheffield, Aiyana McCall, Jillian and Abigail Herstedt, AnnaBeth, Freya and Coraline Alvarez, Thomas Roberts and Athena Alvarez; his dog, Jasper; special friend, Shirley Eggers; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; father, LeRoy Rudolph; mother, Elizabeth Rudolph Roster, and stepfather, Joe Roster; sisters, Colleen Rios and Terry Ringland.
Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 1 p.m. Friday, September 16, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Job Vigil officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to The Golden Spike.