James Carr Trumbull, 91, of Scottsbluff died January 21, 2024 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on February 3, 2024 at The Vine United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Craig Collins officiating. A private family graveside inurnment will be held prior to the service. Friends are invited to share and reminisce Friday February 2 anytime between 5:00PM – 7:00PM at the Vine United Methodist Church. For the service family requests no flowers, casual dress is welcome. Memorials have been established to The Vine United Methodist Church, Regional West Foundation, Festival of Hope or donor’s choice. Bridgman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Carr was born June 14, 1932 in Scottsbluff to William S. and Dorothy Carr Trumbull. A twin sister, Jean Carrol, died at birth. Carr went through the Scottsbluff Public School system and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1950. He played football, basketball, Legion baseball and participated in band, Student Council, National Honor Society, Cornhusker Boys State and was Senior Class President.
After graduation Carr went to University of Nebraska Lincoln where was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and held many offices including Consul. He participated in Corn Cobs, Red Cross, NHRS and Innocents Society. In 1953 he earned his BS in Law Degree and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1954.
After attending Naval Justice School in Rhode Island, he was assigned to the USS Walker with home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Duties included antisubmarine officer, air controller, navigator, legal officer and included several tours of duty in the Far East. He was Honorably Discharged a LT JG in 1956.
He attended the University of Denver Building Industry and Real Estate School prior to returning to work in the family business as the third generation at Carr-Trumbull Lumber Company which was founded in 1900. During his over 50 years of employment he served as Director, President and Chairman of the Board before turning the business over to his sons starting the fourth generation.
In 1958, he became reacquainted with a pretty neighbor girl who had grown up in the years he had been gone from Scottsbluff. He married Sarah E. Skinner November 2, 1958 and they celebrated 65 years of marriage together. They were blessed with three children Bill, Jim and Ann. Early married life revolved around kids’ activities, coaching, Scouting, fishing, hunting and traveling.
He was proud of his family’s history in Scottsbluff and believed in giving back to the area. He was and Eagle Scout, past Chair of the Mormon Trails Scout District and received the Scouting Distinguished Citizen Award. He served as a director of the Scottsbluff Chamber of Commerce, County Planning Commission, Scottsbluff Gering Payroll Development Corp (now TCD), Scottsbluff County Fair board and Hiram Scott College Board of Trustees.
He always believed in good healthcare and served over 30 years on the West Nebraska Hospital Foundation, West Nebraska Hospital Board, Regional West Hospital Board and Regional West Health Services.
He was a 67-year member, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Scottsbluff-Gering Rotary Club. He served as a committee Chair for the 60th and 100th Anniversary Celebrations for the City of Scottsbluff.
In the building materials industry, he Chaired the Nebraska State Affairs, Midwest Lumberman’s Insurance board, Mid America Lumber Association. Carr was named Outstanding Lumberman in Nebraska in 1986.
He was a Director of Scottsbluff National Bank, Firstier Bank, Platte Valley Bank and Platte Valley Financial Services. President of United Manufacturing and partnered with his wife to develop Leisure Living and Regency Court West adult living communities in Scottsbluff.
Carr lived his life with compassion, responsibility, integrity, honesty, a love for family and friends along with respect for everything nature had to offer. His hobbies usually involved outdoors such as fishing with family and good friends, hunting, walking and enjoying his ever-present Springer Spaniels, Buddy. Watching his grandchildren grow up and being involved brought him much joy and kept him young.
Carr grew up doing a lot of traveling with his parents and he and Sarah continued traveling through the years. They traveled to all continents except Antarctica and visited over 75 countries. Many foreign exchange students and Group Study Exchange members were welcomed into their home over the years.
The most important thing in Carr’s life was the loving and sharing that Carr and Sarah were blessed with. As Carr put it Sarah was a wife, partner, companion, mother, supporter, nurse, caregiver, travel buddy and the Love of his life. Family meant everything to Carr.
Survivors include his wife Sarah, sons Bill (Cheryl) Trumbull, Jim (Brenda) Trumbull of Scottsbluff, Ann (Frans) de Jong of Charlottesville, Va. Grandchildren Alyssa (Ryan) Morris, Aimee (Adam) Werner, all of Omaha, Andrew de Jong, Bristol England, Daniell de Jong, Norfolk, VA, Kate de Jong, Washington D.C. Great grandchildren Maeva Grace Morris and Nolan Carr Werner. Sister-in-law Jane Rapp (South Sioux City) and many nieces and nephews Jack (Kristi) Baker and family, Libby (Carlo) Holmes and family, Robert (Michelle) Rapp and family, George (Amy) Rapp and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents W. S. and Dorothy Trumbull, parents in law Bill and Lib Skinner, twin sister Jean Carroll, sister-in-law Ann Baker, brothers in law, Ron Rapp and John Baker.