Johnnie “John” Jurgensen was born September 17, 1954, in Lexington, Nebraska.  He passed away on November 30, 2023, at the age of 69.

John held Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He taught business and coached football, basketball, and track for two years at Gibbon High School and two years at McCook Senior High. From there John began a 12-year career coaching basketball at the collegiate level. He was the head coach for six years at McCook Community College, 3 years as assistant coach at Montana State University, and 3 years as assistant coach at the University of Texas-Arlington.  In 1994 John and Deb moved to Lincoln which would be their home for the next 30 years. Shortly after the move, he joined Deb in the securities and insurance industry where he became a “financial coach.”

John’s passions in life were undoubtedly basketball and coaching. After John left college coaching, he volunteered as an assistant basketball coach for 12 years at Lincoln Southeast high school. He helped at Lincoln Public Schools sporting events and worked state basketball tournaments. For years, John dedicated himself to coaching youth basketball and softball/baseball for Elly and Jaydee’s teams, not only mentoring his own children, but also touching the lives of other youth.

More than anything John loved being a Dad to his Elly Jane and Budman. He was the best playmate, letting us constantly jump all over him and chasing us around the house. He was the biggest fan of his own jokes inevitably saying “I don’t care who you are, now that’s funny!”, remixing lyrics to songs which resulted in eyerolls from us kids, but all it took was one cracked smile to keep him going. He would never say no when Elly asked him to dance or when Jaydee asked him to throw batting practice. He would spend hours catching Elly and Jaydee’s pitching practice in the yard and rebounding in the driveway. He loved kids in general, and recently shared that he wanted his future grandkids to call him Coach, which we thought was perfect.

As adults, he enthusiastically wanted to make trips down to Dallas to see us, whether for a couple week stay or a single night for dinner — no trip or time with us was too small. He had genuine interest in Elly’s and Jaydee’s jobs and careers. When challenges arose from work or anything in their personal lives, he knew how to comfort them, keep life simple, and put things into perspective. He was our biggest cheerleader; we unquestionably knew how proud he was of us and how loved we were. We love you and miss you, Dad.

John’s hobbies included golfing, reading mysteries and westerns, playing Santa Claus during the Christmas season, and competing in ‘Words With Friends’. He attended two coffee groups with friends every week, mostly to rehash the sports of the week. However, he was not much of a cook.

John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Deb, and their children, Elly Jurgensen of Dallas, Texas, and Jaydee Jurgensen and fiancée Andrea Hunter of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Steve (Ledene) Clapp of Kearney, Nebraska; brother-in-law, John Clapp, of McCook, Nebraska; nephew, Kasey Clapp of Boulder, Colorado; nieces, Josette  McConville (Justin) of Kearney, Nebraska; Erica Clapp of New Zealand, and Sydney Clapp of Denver CO; great-nephew Brodie McConville, and great-niece, Lexie McConville. He will be missed by his many God-Children and other close relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his father, Richard Jurgensen, his mother, Bonita Jurgensen, and brother Dennis Jurgensen.

A celebration of John’s life will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, at 11am at Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68516. Following the service, a luncheon will be served in the church’s fellowship hall for loved ones to gather to share happy memories, crazy stories, and remember him as a loving, caring man and Father who enjoyed life and basketball.

Memorials may be given in John’s memory to McCook College Foundation in support of the men’s basketball program where he was a student-athlete and coach or to Southwood Lutheran Church.

John was an organ and tissue donor. To leave a condolence please use the form below.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.