Western Nebraska Observer - Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

James "Jim" Edward Titsworth Jr., 74, passed away on Oct. 1, 2018, at his home in Lincoln.

Funeral services will be Friday at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 5200 R St., Lincoln, NE, 68504, starting at 10:30 a.m., with military honors, followed by a luncheon. He will be laid to rest at Omaha National Cemetery.

Jim was born on July 11, 1944, in Charleston, S.C., to Jack and Dorothy Titsworth. He graduated from Kimball County High School. Later he received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a master of arts degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Jim worked for The Grand Island Daily Independent newspaper as a reporter from 1979 to 1994. He then became a police officer for the City of Grand Island from 1994 to 2005. He retired to Lincoln to be near family.

Jim was a member of the United States Army for 19 years. He joined the Special Forces in 1967 and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. Jim was awarded several commendations and medals during his career, including the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and 'V' for valor. He retired in 2004 as a colonel from the Nebraska Army Reserve.

Jim's strong work ethic and desire to excel followed him throughout his life. Several of his newspaper articles received special notice along, and he received commendations from the Grand Island Police Force. After retiring from the Grand Island Police Department, Jim and two of his best friends formed HAT Trick, where the three friends taught concealed handgun license courses.

Jim loved history, and in retirement spent time studying world religious and military history, Native American history and Vietnam War history. Jim's master's degree was in Native American history, where he wrote his master's thesis on the Battle at Wounded Knee.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Dorothy. He is survived by his three children, Michael, Crystal and Charles, two grandchildren, Oliver and Maura; a sister, Deborah; a nephew, Clint; and three nieces, Erin, Sandi and Sheri.