Funeral Leaflet

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James (Jim) Michael Abariotes, 56, of Omaha, died Friday, August 23, 2019 at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha following an extended battle with cancer.

Graveside funeral services for Jim will be held at 11:00am Monday, August 26, 2019 at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 7909 Mormon Bridge Road, Omaha. He will be buried beside his beloved father and mother, Harry and Trudi (Head) Abariotes. Officiant for the service will be Minister Dave Ludwig of Benson Church of Christ in Omaha. Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Josie Harper Hospice House or to the family for future designation.

Jim was born in Omaha on October 24, 1962 to Harry and Trudi (Head) Abariotes. He joined his parents and his older sister Penni in the family’s north Omaha home.

Jim was a fun-loving kid who enjoyed being part of the games played by the children in the neighborhood. He developed a love of reading, especially books involving the world of science fiction and fantasy, and playing video games, especially role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. He was quite good at them.

Jim attended Omaha North High School and later earned his high school GED before enlisting in the United States Army.

He later developed a love of cooking and spent most of his professional career in the many aspects of the food service industry. He enjoyed being a cook and worked at a number of restaurants around Omaha, including Charleston’s, Gallagher’s and Mr. C’s. His cooking skills were also enjoyed by friends and family, especially as he served as a wingman for his cousin Steve Abariotes when they grilled at the family cabin.

Jim served as a chauffeur and confidant for both Grandpa Harry and Grandma Trudi in their later years, helping take care of their day-to-day needs including making sure they got to all their appointments. In his final days he said more than once he longed to see them again and now he has joined them in their heavenly home.

In his final weeks Jim put up a heroic battle against cancer, living those final days with grace and dignity, which eased the pain some for his sister who served as his advocate and sounding board until his final breath at the early morning moment of his death. Those final weeks together were filled with a magic only brother and sister can understand and sharing Jim’s journey was very important to both of them.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father and is survived by his sister Penni (Bob) Jensen; nephew Matthew Jensen; niece Jessie Jensen, and many other relatives and friends.

James Michael Abariotes, October 24, 1962-August 23, 2019

Memorial Service Monday, August 26, 2019 11:00 a.m. Forest Lawn Cemetery, 7909 Mormon Bridge Road, Omaha, NE 68152. Officiant: Minister Dave Ludwick, Benson Church of Christ.

Pallbearers: Tassie Abariotes, Matthew Jensen, Tim Abariotes, Pete Gantnier, Bob Jensen

Graveside Service with officiant, Minister Dave Ludwick

Visitation and luncheon to follow at the mortuary.

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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