Dr. James "Jim" Plate

Dr. James "Jim" Plate, 69, of Ogallala passed away Monday June 11, 2018 at his home in Ogallala. Jim was born on June 6, 1949 in Ord to Willis and Rhoda (Miller) Plate. Jim received his early education at Sumter Country School, a rural one-room schoolhouse, through eighth grade and graduated from Ord High School. Jim spent his youth "growing up on a horse" on the family farm/ranch outside North Loup. He was active in 4-H, winning champion honors at the NE State Fair for market lambs and was named the outstanding cowboy at the Ord JC Rodeo in 1967. In high school, he played trombone as a member of the Syl Boros Polka Band.

Jim graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a Bachelor of Science with dual majors in chemistry and physiology and a minor in mathematics. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, did a rotating internship at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, WA, and was board certified in Family Practice Medicine.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca (Becky) Larson on August 21, 1976 in Ogallala, and to the union three children were born, Michael, Megan and Danny. The family resided in Kimball until 1998, where Dr. Plate served as chief of staff for Kimball Health Services off and on for 20 years and helped shape the Kimball ambulance and EMS services. He participated in the UNMC preceptor program, training many students in rural medicine. For several years, he was the only physician in Kimball. In 1998, the family moved to Ogallala where Dr. Plate was employed by Family Medical Center until his retirement in 2014. In 2007, he participated in a 3 week medical mission to Haiti. 

Jim was an avid sportsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and close friends. Bird hunting was more than a casual hobby, as he passionately raised and trained pointing dogs for over 40 years. He loved fly fishing in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. He was a private pilot for more than 20 years flying his own plane when time didn't allow for driving and was also an avid golfer. Later in life, he often spent time on the family farm - preserving the land for hunting habitat, restoring the farmhouse he grew up in and building two special ponds to take his granddaughters fishing. In addition to the sporting life, Jim enjoyed playing bridge, road trips with family and dancing with his wife Becky... whether or not there was music playing! Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church, Sigma Chi Fraternity and the Elks Lodge #1760, Banner Capital Bank Board of Directors, Banner County Ban Corporation Board of Directors, and the Trustee of Banner County Ban Corporation ESOP.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Paul Plate and his infant sister Deanna Plate.

Survivors include his wife Becky of Ogallala, two sons; Michael of Alma and Dan (Jessica) of Houston Tx, one daughter; Megan (Jeff) Alsop of Grapevine Tx, one brother Bill (Karen) Plate of North Loup and two granddaughters Lilly and Grace Alsop of Grapevine TX.

The family has chosen cremation. The memorial service will be on Saturday June 16, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Ogallala with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Online condolences may be sent to drauckerfuneralhome.com. A memorial is established to the Kimball County Hospital and Perkins County Hospital. Services will be live streamed from Methodistchurchofgallala.com as well as from Drauckerfuneralhome.com for those unable to attend.

Draucker Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.