The world lost an honorable Christian man, Frank “Jerome” Given, on Friday August 21, 2015.
Jerome was born in Omaha, NE February 26, 1923 to Frank and Hazel (Hatcher) Given. He is survived by his lifelong love and wife of 73 years, Jeannie (Mary Jean McClernon) Given, his four children, Sherry Moran of Omaha, Jeanné Willerth (Joe) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Gary Given of Phoenix, AZ and Gay Lynn Owens (Joe) of Creston, IA, his 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Jerome loved his God, family and life. He also loved racing motorcycles, ice skating, hockey, water skiing, boating, corvettes, flying airplanes and helping people.
A member of the greatest generation, he landed at Omaha Beach, rose to the rank of Captain in the Army 9th Infantry serving under Patton and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. After graduating in 1947 from Creighton University’s Law School, he spent 35 years working for the Union Pacific Railroad. He retired as their General Trial Counsel. He also started the UP’s Aviation Department.
A strong Christian, lifelong Sunday school teacher and Elder, Jerome lived his faith by helping others. He flew countless children to Shrine Hospitals in his plane along with helping many patients for Angel Flight and Lifeline Pilots. He was given the Salvation Army’s “Adult Hero Award” in 2004. He was a member of Pilgrim Christian Church. He willingly shared how blessed he was.
Jerome was a 33rd degree Mason, a member of the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. In 1963, at age 40, he was Tangier Temple’s youngest Shrine Potentate. He had served as director of the Nebraska Masonic Youth Foundation and Chairman of the Board for the Scottish Rite in Omaha. He was a long time member of the Omaha Rotary Club and was awarded the “Service Above Self” award in 2010. He served as a councilman for the City of Elkhorn and was past president of the Homeowners Association of Skyline Ranches.
He learned to fly in 1943 and in 2006 was given a Master Pilot Award from the FAA for 64 years of safe flying. He flew everything from single and multi-engine aircraft to jets.
Jerome was an avid sports enthusiast and public speaker. He was on the European Theater Hockey Championship Team (1945-6) and won the European Theater Speed Skating Champion for 1500 meters (1946). He played hockey and raced motorcycles professionally while working his way through law school and won the bike races at Sturgis, SD (1948). He also was past president of the Omaha Figure Skating Club and was a show water-skier. He was always willing to speak on various topics especially the “Trials of Christ” to share his faith.
Friday, (8/28/2015) Visitation 5-7 PM, Saturday (8/29/15) 9:45 Masonic Service, Funeral at 10:00 AM at Roeder Mortuary 2727 N. 108th Street Omaha, NE. The family suggests memorials to Angel Flight Central, 10 Richards Road, Kansas City, MO 64116 or the Tangier Shrine Children’s Transportation Fund 2823 S. 84th Street Omaha, NE 68124.
