Jimmie “Jim” Dean Narber, 87, of Grand Island, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, September 18th. Burial will follow at Grand Island City Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Navy and the Hall County Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 17th, at All Faiths Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to First National Bank Omaha in Grand Island to the “Jim Narber Memorial Fund.” Donations will be put towards a future planned memorial in Grand Island.
Jim was born March 1, 1939, in Lovilia, Iowa, to Reed and Lucille (Mosley) Narber. Jim attended school in Chariton, IA, and Sioux Valley, MN, graduating in 1957 from Sioux Valley High School.
On November 8, 1961, Jim entered the United States Navy (Seabees). During his service he did construction work in eight different countries including Puerto Rico (Island of Culebra), Greece, Naples Italy, Sicily, Spain, Antarctica, and Newfoundland. He was honorably discharged on March 8, 1966, as an E-5 Second Class Petty Officer.
On June 16, 1962, Jim married Donna Reynolds. They had four children, Conn, Shannon, Heidi and Tiffany. After military service, Jim worked for Shriver Construction of Jefferson, IA as project superintendent, overseeing the construction of motels, restaurants, clinics and apartment housing. In 1974 Jim moved his young family to Grand Island to work for Chief Construction as a project manager in the construction division.
In 1983, Jim started his own construction company, Jim Narber, Inc., a Construction and Development company, and in 1997 purchased the Floor to Ceiling Store. Jim continued working until August 2025. A motto Jim lived by, “It’s the Journey, Not the Destination. “
Jim was proud of his military service and took great joy designing and building the Freedom Rock display and pergola cover located at the Grand Island Veterans Club.
Those who cherish his memory include his wife of 64 years, Donna; his children, Conn (Karen) Narber, Shannon (Vicki) Narber, Heidi (Kent) Richter, and Tiffany (Todd) Johnson; grandchildren, McClain (Ty) Botsford, Adyson (Garrett) Staten, Cal (Laine) Narber, Judah Narber, Daniel Narber, Jillian Narber, Sydney Richter, Will Richter, Jack Richter, Edward Johnson, Charles Johnson, and Sophia Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, Beaux and Otto Botsford.
He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Joann Narber and Louise Narber; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Doyle and Marilyn Reynolds, and sister-in-law, Dixie Dursky; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerry Narber and Gene Narber; his parents-in-law, Lyle and Wilma Reynolds; and brother-in-law, Steve Dursky.