Jerry L. Stine

June 6, 1945 – February 24, 2022

Jerry LeRoy Stine, age 76 of Omaha, passed away at his home on February 24, 2022. Jerry was born June 6, 1945, in Grand Island, Nebraska to Roy and Beulah (Willoughby) Stine. He married Patricia Louise Cunningham in Kearney, Nebraska on June 4, 1971. They welcomed two daughters into their family, Stefanie and Cynthe, and a son, Mitchell. His greatest joy in life was being a husband, father, and grandfather. He and Pat loved to spend time together supporting their children’s and grandchildren’s various interests. He was a champion for high school athletics and was often in attendance at various sporting events across Nebraska. 

Jerry graduated from North-Loup Scotia High School in 1963 and earned two degrees from Kearney State College; a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1967 and a Master’s Degree in Education in 1976. He lettered four years in Track & Field at Kearney State College helping the Track team win four straight Nebraska College Conference Championships. After graduating college, Jerry taught and coached at Wheeler Central High School from 1967-1978 and Bertrand Community Schools from 1978 until he retired in 2004. Jerry taught Business, Physical Education, and Driver’s Education during his career. He also was an Assistant Football Coach, Head Girls and Boys Basketball Coach, and Head Track & Field Coach. In his retirement years, he continued to contribute to high school sports as he drove charter buses for Eppley Express and Arrow Stage Lines and activity buses for high schools in the Omaha Metropolitan Area.  

Jerry was a member of many professional organizations including the Nebraska Coaches Association where he was President of the Association during the 1990-1991 academic year. He was also the creator, author, and secretary of the NCA Milestone Award that bears his name, which has recognized the achievements of over 1,500 coaches in the state since its inception in 1991. He has served on the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors since 1997 documenting and organizing the Foundation’s vast historical research. Jerry was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000, the University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation in 2017.     

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Kaye; and brother Wayne. Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pat; daughter Stefanie McAlpin and her husband Lucas of Omaha; daughter Cynthe Ford and her husband Luke of Omaha; son Mitchell and his wife Laurie of Hickman; 10 Grandchildren: Kaitlyn and her husband Dillon of Omaha, Peyton, Olivia, Laynee, Ella, Noah, Mayzee, Kendyll, Ava, and Garrett; one Great-Grandchild, Della: and brother Ray Stine of North Loup.

Visitation will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7790 South 192nd Street in Gretna on Monday, February 28 at 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A Vigil Service with an opportunity to share memories will begin at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. with lunch to immediately follow the funeral mass. A private burial will be held at a later date.         

Memorials are suggested to either St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or to the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation.

Roeder Mortuary, 11710 Standing Stone Dr. – Gretna, NE 68028 – (402) 332-0090   www.RoederMortuary.com