J. Douglas Robison

James Douglas Robison was born on October 30, 1939, to James C. and Annie E. (Kerruish) Robison at the old Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh, Nebraska. Doug is the oldest of five siblings who grew up on the family farm just outside of Elk Creek, Nebraska. He was baptized and attended services and Sunday School at the United Methodist Church in Elk Creek. Doug graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1957. He attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln East Campus majoring in Agriculture. However, after one year, the family farm called him back. He was inducted into the Army National Guard in January 1960 and was a member of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry based in Auburn, Nebraska. He was honorably discharged in January 1966 with the rank of Sergeant.

Having met on a blind date, Doug married the love of his life, Vera L. Albers, on October 21, 1962 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (Osage), rural Cook, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with three children; John Scott, Kimberly Sue and Heather Kay. Doug and Vera made Elk Creek their home and he farmed along side his Dad and brothers from that time on. Doug raised livestock and grain crops and remained active on the farm his entire life right up through last year’s harvest.

While farming was Doug’s primary career path and passion, he also worked several other jobs over the years, beginning in high school. Doug delivered rock and lime to several areas around southeast Nebraska. He also worked for the Johnson County Department of Roads, Campbell Soup, Hoke Construction and Elk Creek Public Schools as a bus driver. Doug was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help.

Doug spent countless hours listening to stories of Elk Creek and southeast Nebraska, as a young boy on the farm and an adult during morning coffee at the tavern. He took in all those stories and dispensed his knowledge whenever asked. Elk Creek has certainly lost an outstanding historian. Over the years, Doug enjoyed attending the Elk Creek School Alumni meetings and the Class of ’57 Reunions. Being a lifelong resident of Elk Creek, his hometown truly was embedded in his very soul.

Doug was a past member of the Mt. Hope Cemetery Board as well as the Elk Creek Public School Board, serving as President of both for several years. He had also been a member of Deer Creek Sodbusters. Doug proudly served as a member of Tracy-Bates American Legion Post 370. He was their chief sausage cooker for the annual pancake feed for many years and enjoyed the various county parades.

Doug and Vera (and the kids when younger) traveled around southeast Nebraska and in and out of the neighboring states on Sunday drives. These drives always ended with an ice cream cone. Through the years, Doug and Vera attended many sporting events, concerts, school programs and graduations in support of their extended family. They were always present at family baptisms, confirmations and weddings. Doug had a love of trains since boyhood and he had an extensive ball cap collection. He was extremely proud of his Manx heritage and shared many stories of his ancestors and family heritage with family members whenever he could.

In the last couple of years, Doug took great care of Vera, as she began to suffer from dementia. When out and about, their love and care for each other often caused people to remark that they were such a sweet couple and that everyone should be so in love in their senior years. They were able to stay at home up until January of this year, when they relocated to Colonial Acres in Humboldt, Nebraska due to Doug’s declining health. It was there that Doug passed from his earthly body on February 8, 2025, having attained the age of 85 years, 3 months and 8 days.

Doug is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vera, his children, John (Mary) of Syracuse, Nebraska, Kimberly (Steven) Crook of Crab Orchard, NE and Heather (Eric) Hillman of Fairbury, Nebraska; ten grandchildren (and spouses); Megan (Frederic) Pitrat, Burke (Irina) Brown, Brandon Brown, James Robison, Brandon (Tracy) Crook, Travis (Heather) Crook, Joshua (Alaina) Crook, Jeremy, Tyler and Oliver Hillman; and twelve great-grandchildren; Kamber Pitrat, Tanner, Paisley, Riley and Emilia Brown, and Brody, Katelyn, Cameron, Haeley, Lucas, Brynlee and Callee Crook. He is also survived by siblings; Elizabeth Robison, Gordon (Sarah) Robison, Donald (Joy) Robison, Deborah Kreienhop; sister-in-law, Linda Fischer; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, James and Annie; brothers-in-law John Kreienhop and Richard Fischer.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Mount Hope Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with Pastor Ken Tubbesing officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the Tracy-Bates American Legion Post #370 of Elk Creek.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2025 at the Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the Tracy-Bates American Legion Post #370 or the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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