Ronald Louis Bourne, age 69, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded in love by his family and several close friends on Sunday, December 27, 2015, in Omaha, NE.
Ron was born many moons ago to Nile and Evelyn Bourne on December 29, 1945, at Kearney, NE, and grew up in Lexington, NE. After hearing all the shenanigans he was involved in, it’s amazing he graduated from Lexington High School. Later, Ron took pride in actively serving our country in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969, which included a year in Vietnam in a triage emergency hospital.
After he was discharged, Ron returned stateside and continued his advanced anesthesia training in Washington before returning to Nebraska. Ron worked passionately as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) in North Platte for 42 years. Throughout his career he was repeatedly thanked by his patients and colleagues for being skilled, compassionate, genuine and kindhearted.
The women in his life were numerous. He married his main squeeze, Sheri Kay Remus, almost 43 years ago on May 25, 1973, at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte. They were fortunate enough to have four beautiful, successful daughters—Tresa, Michelle, Pamela and Carrie. Ron taught them to shoot a gun, fish, hunt, respect Mother Nature, save their money, and put God first in their lives. To balance out the low testosterone in his household, God later blessed him with five grandsons, Wyat Barkley, Gage Grant-Barkley, Parker Louis, Harrison Grant and Hudson Nile.
Ron was an avid hunter and conservationist. He spent his free time at the family farm or ranch planting trees, clearing the pastures of cedar trees, fixing fence and hunting. Ron could also “fix” anything with a caulking gun and duct tape. He had a big spirit and loved helping people. Anyone that knew Ron knew he had a gift to gab and never hesitated to express his political views. He loved to cook and had a lifelong love affair with cherry pie, chocolate ice cream, Diet (caffeine free) Mountain Dew (AKA dad’s water) and peanut butter toast.
Ron was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM, Tehama Shrine Temple and the North Platte Shrine Club.
Ron leaves behind his wife, Sheri, of North Platte; daughters, Tresa (Richard) Myers, of Lynnwood, WA, Michelle Faulkner and Pamela Bourne, both of Omaha, and Carrie Bourne, of North Platte; five grandsons, Wyat, Gage, Parker and twins, Harrison and Hudson; his loving mother-in-law, Lela Remus, and amazing brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and wife, Peggy Remus, all of North Platte; a niece, Stacee (Randy) Baker, of Broomfield, CO; his favorite (and only) nephew, Garod (Danielle) Remus, of North Platte; his uncle, Kurt Remus, of Wellfleet, NE; as well as many other relatives and friends. And special thanks to Dr. Chris Seip for saving Ron’s life and giving us extra time with him and Dr. Gary Conell and Dr. Sri Venkat Suravarapu for their extraordinary care and friendship.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Nile and Evelyn Bourne; an infant sister, Sharon Bourne; his grandparents; and father-in-law, Grant L. Remus.
Cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Full military honors and Masonic Rites will follow the service at the church. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, January 8th, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the LCRA (Loess Canyons Rangeland Alliance) which strives to deepen landowner commitment to environmentally sound practices, including prescribed burning, prescribed grazing and wildlife habitat management. Ron often rode an ATV in the smoke, spraying water or pulling a drag to make sure the fire stayed inside the perimeter. He was vital first aid for an injured LCRA firefighter, and a champion for safety equipment and first aid training for firefighters. Ron and the LCRA strongly believe that these practices will help protect the resources for future generations.