Gary John Joseph

     Gary John Joseph, age 77, passed away peacefully, at Tri Valley hospital in Cambridge, Neb., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. He was born to Delton and Esther (Madden) Joseph in Cambridge on November 17, 1943. Gary was a fighter from day one, arriving prematurely at only a couple of pounds. He could fit in a shoebox and was fed with an eyedropper. He loved the Cambridge area and lived there all his life.

     Gary went to school in a one room schoolhouse north of Cambridge, which still stands today, just south of Harry Strunk Lake. He attended and graduated Cambridge High School in May of 1962. Gary dated and married Connie Burton of Bartley on June 2nd, 1962. To this union, was born his pride and joy, a little girl, Candy.  Gary and Connie would later divorce in the late 1970’s. 

     Gary was a farmer and raised and sold Hampshire pigs. He also raised cattle with his dad, Delton. One of his favorite places was the sale barn in McCook.  He would talk about taking Candy with him to the sale barn and both putting salted peanuts in their bottle of Coke. He would laugh at the memory of her high stepping through the pasture fearing the appearance of any kind of snake.

     Gary sold his farm in 1990 and moved to a cabin on Harry Strunk Lake. During this period of his life he received his real estate license and went to Auctioneer school and graduating the summer of 1987.  Gary loved living at the lake, but jumped at the opportunity to purchase his grandma and grandpa’s house in Cambridge. He had many childhood memories in their home and moved there in the year 2000.

     Gary fought diabetes and kidney disease later, and his mobility worsened each year.  Diabetes almost took his foot in 2012 and his doctors prepared him for the worst, but miraculously, his foot got better. The Catholic church was a big influence in Gary’s life and faith was important to him.  He attended church regularly and would watch Sunday Services on TV when he could no longer attend in person.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Delton and Esther.

     He is survived by his daughter, Candy and son-in-law, Steve Cox of North Platte; sister, Kay and brother-in-law, Doug Raburn of Raleigh, NC; nieces: Madde and Sam; nephew, Alex; special friends: JD Maxson of North Platte, NE, Sandi and Gary Groshong of Cambridge, and Dawn Brown of Cambridge.

The family is very thankful to the EMT’s, doctors and nursing staff at the Cambridge hospital that cared for him in his last days.

     Rosary will be Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Cambridge, NE, with Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 AM. Father Ken Wehr as celebrant.  The family will have a private inurnment at a  later  date.  Friends  may  leave online condolences at lockenourfh.com. Memorials may be left in his name at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary.  Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is entrusted with arrangements.

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