James C. Seacrest, 78, of Lincoln, passed away June 2, 2016. Born April 28, 1938 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Joe W. and Ruth (Kadel) Seacrest. Received his BS degree from University of Nebraska 1963. Served as Captain in the USAR Quartermaster Corps 1964-1966 (Korea -13 months).
Jim served in the newspaper business for 40 years, 1968-2000 at Western Publishing Co. in North Platte, president and chairman of the board. Western Publishing Co. published daily, weekly and shopper newspapers in Western, Nebraska.
He served as vice chairman of Great Plains Regional Medical Center expansion, $1,3000,000.00+; past president (1989-1990), vice president (1988-1989) and board member (1982-1990), Nebraskans for Public Television 1988; Outstanding Service to Public Television Award; Board of Directors, University of Nebraska Foundation (1983-1989); trustee, University of Nebraska Foundation to present; Board of Directors, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alumni Association (1970-1981); 1982 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award; founding director, Heartland Center for Leadership Development (Lincoln) 1986-1989), Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, North Platte (1980-1989), NebraskaLand Days (North Platte Nebraska State Heritage Celebration) (1968-1974); Board of Directors, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney (1985-1987); trustee, Nebraska Wesleyan College, Lincoln (1985-1987); advisor, National Trust for Historic Preservation (1991-1993); Organizing Committee Member, North Platte Golden Spike Visitor’s Center (1998); Nebraska Cultural Endowment-Advisory Committee (2003 to present); Amendment #1 Committee-Co-Treasurer (2004); Friends of Opera-board member (2004-2007); Strategic discussions for Nebraska-board member (2007-2010); Nebraska Applesee Center for Law in the Public Interest (2009-2011); Nebraska Educational Television-co-chair-Inspire Nebraska Campaign-$35 million-goal reached in June 2011; *N-L Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts-co-chair-$20 million campaign-final total $37 million; 1999 Above & Beyond Award, Mid Nebraska Community Foundation; 2002 North Platte Hall of Fame Award, Chamber of Commerce; 2003 Lincoln Mayor’s Arts Award; 2005 President’s Award, Preservation Association of Lincoln; 2005 Nebraska Press Association-President’s Award; 2006 Governor’s Arts Award, Leonard Thiessen Award; May 2007 Award of Merit-Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts; May 2007 First Annual Golden Baton Award, Lincoln Symphony Orchestra; May 10, 2008 Philanthropist of the Year-Association of Fundraising Professionals; 2012 Nebraska Press Association Hall of Fame; 2013 Charity Award, Lincoln Community Foundation; 2016 Distinguished Nebaskalander, Nebraskaland Foundation.
Family members include his wife, Rhonda (Sadi) Seacrest; son, Ryan W. Seacrest, Lincoln; sister-in-law, Beatrice (Mike) Seacrest; nephews and niece, Eric (Kim)Seacrest, North Platte, Ted Seacrest, Lincoln and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Gary (Susan) Seacrest, Kent (Ann) Seacrest and Shawn(Doug) Farrar, all of Lincoln.
Private Family Service.
Memorials to the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE 68508 or Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, P. O. Box 1321, North Platte, NE 69103.