James L. Carrier, 67, died of a sudden heart attack at home on June 20, 2016. He was born to Lanny and Elsie Carrier (Peattie) in Bedford, Ohio on March 1, 1949. The family moved to Lincoln in 1950. Jim attended Lincoln schools and graduated from Lincoln Southeast in 1967. In 2013 he was honored as an outstanding alumnus. He graduated from Cornell University in New York State with both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1972. He was employed by Lester Electrical for 52 years, serving as its President and Chairman of the Board since 1979. He retired as President in 2008 but continued as Chairman of the Board until his death. He joined the Air Force in 1970 and served as a navigator on the F-4 Phantom until his retirement as a major in 1993.
Jim’s life was one of commitment to God, his family, friends, his work and the Lincoln community. He lived each day based on those commitments. He and his wife Pam (Hastings) were high school friends who were married in 1983. They welcomed their son Daniel to the family in 1992 and were immensely happy being parents and learning to “live young” with him. Jim was an unreasonably patient father and husband.
He was a lifelong Presbyterian who served in many leadership roles with the church including deacon and elder as well as his most recent post as treasurer and president of the First Presbyterian Foundation. He served in many roles with Boy Scout Troop 63 including scoutmaster and was serving on the board of directors of Cornhusker Boy Scout Council at the time of his death. He was also serving as a board member of Junior Achievement. He was a founding member of the Nebraska Center for Excellence in Engineering and served in leadership roles until his death.
Jim loved boating and the family cabin at Middle Island where he served on that association’s board of directors. He loved both water and snow skiing, traveling, going to hardware stores, home and lawn projects and visiting with friends and business acquaintances.
He is survived by his wife, Pam (Hastings), son Daniel, sisters Michelle Hinton (Lynn) and their children, Melissa and Lauren; Donna Smith (Mike) and their children, Kara St. John and Rachel Smith. Brother-in-law Randy Winter (surviving spouse of his deceased sister, Pamela Carrier Winter) and his current wife Vicky and his children Jeremy Winter (Nancy), Deana Winter (Tug Newett) and his grandniece Cienna. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Julie Hastings and brothers-in-law Chuck Hastings (Jeanne) and their daughters Diane Lewis (Dusty), Beth Tourek (Kris); and Steve Hastings; and beloved Husky, Scooby. He was predeceased by his sister Pamela Carrier Winter, his parents and his father-in-law retired Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, William C. Hastings.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 5 at Roper and Sons Mortuary, 4300 O Street, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 17th and F Streets, on Wednesday, July 6 at 11 a.m. Family internment services at a later date.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church Foundation, Cornhusker Boy Scout Council or Junior Achievement.