James (Jim) Ostermeyer, 73, of North Platte, departed this life and made his last sarcastic comment on June 20, 2019. We believe he may have chosen this time to depart so he wouldn't have to endure a potentially disappointing Nebraska football season.

Although he didn't quite make it to the age of 79 as a Taiwanese fortune teller once predicted (a fortune he firmly believed until last Thursday), Jim lived an above average, honest, generous, and content life.

Jim was cremated for two reasons: he often joked he wanted a service where every friend took home some of his ashes in ziplock bags and, of course, for the story that would inevitably be told. He was a devoted storyteller, oftentimes redundantly, and we're sure he is telling this story somewhere now. Jim wasn't a fan of funerals or obituaries, but we sure hope he decides to be at his own in spirit.

Jim was born October 10, 1945 in Crawford, Nebraska, to Bob and Caroline (Percy) Ostermeyer. He received his first speeding ticket at the ripe age of 6. Was kicked out of college, not once, but twice (so he says), and was eventually allowed to graduate from Chadron State College in 1972 with a degree he called "Professional Student." His humor and orneriness struck a chord with his soon-to-be wife, Diane, while there. He fought in Vietnam as a Marine, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, a unit of the Third Marine Division. He was one of eight survivors in his Platoon, where his nickname, Weasel (what Western Nebraska knows him as), was coined.

He was proceeded in death by many of his idols, heroes, friends, family and strangers. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Diane (Olson) Ostermeyer, and his four children whom he liked OK: Jay (Amy) Ostermeyer of Lincoln, Nebraska; Tracy (Adam) Treu of Bend, Oregon; Cory (Kim) Ostermeyer of Omaha, Nebraska; and Katy (Tyler) Friedrich of Denver, Colorado. It's still unclear who his favorite child was but we all knew he could not possibly have a favorite grandchild. He is survived by 8 grandchildren: Olivia, Kemper and Finley Treu; Drew and Sophie Ostermeyer; and Jace, Jordyn and Joslyn Ostermeyer. He was convinced he would outlive his older brother whom he admired, George (Diane) Ostermeyer of Tucson, Arizona. He also leaves behind his beloved four-legged companion with whom he spent his days on the back porch, Gus.

He will live in our hearts and laughs forever. We loved him. We miss him already. We hope it's awesome wherever he is. And he would want everyone to remember to not take life too seriously.

Please, no flowers, instead tell a story to someone you love, or a stranger, with a Dr. Pepper in one hand and a Miller Lite in the other. Memorials can be to North Platte Legion Baseball.

A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, June 27 at 10:00 AM at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, followed by a private military service at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.