MINATARE — Jim “Hondo” Hohnstein, 67, of Minatare, formerly of Bayard, died Thursday, March 12, 2015, at The Residency in Scottsbluff. 

Jim was born Sept. 5, 1947, in Hutchinson, Kan., to Howard and Mildred (Garner) Hohnstein. The family moved to Scottsbluff where Jim received his education, graduating from Scottsbluff High School with the Class of 1965. He graduated from Chadron State College with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He was united in marriage to Becky Behm on Dec. 27, 1969, in Scottsbluff.

Jim joined the Nebraska Army National Guard, Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 68th Field Artillery, 67th Infantry Brigade based in Gering in Jan. 1970. He attended basic training at Fort Campbell, Ky., in March of 1970 before being transferred to Fort Sill, Okla., for artillery training. He returned to Scottsbluff in July of 1970. Jim took his position in the ammunition platoon upon returning home. He worked his way up through the ranks and eventually became Ammunition Platoon Sergeant and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. Jim took his position in the Army National Guard seriously. He was activated on several occasions to provide emergency assistance in natural disasters such as forest fires, blizzards, and any other areas as assigned. He retired in 1991 with 21 years of service to his country.

Jim began his teaching and coaching career at Bayard High School in the fall of 1971. He was the boys assistant basketball coach from 1973-1982, getting his 100th victory as an assistant during the 1981 season. He was the head boys basketball coach from 1993-1995. He was head girls basketball coach from 1983-1987, winning districts and qualifying for state in 1987. He was the assistant girls track coach from 1974-1979 and the head girls track coach from 1980-2006. He served as the Athletic Director from 1985-2006. He returned as a volunteer track coach in 2010. Jim retired from the Bayard Public Schools in the spring of 2006 and was a substitute teacher in Bayard and around the valley until the fall of 2014. The Class of 1979 from Bayard High School dedicated the annual to Jim.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, golfing, fishing and playing poker. He was an inspirational teacher and coach who touched the lives of many students and student athletes at Bayard. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife Becky of Minatare; daughter Jill Hohnstein of Salem, Ore.; son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Krystie and their children Madison, Jackson, Jacob, and Lillian all of Scottsbluff; brother and sister-in-law Chuck and Jeanni Hohnstein of Scottsbluff; brother-in-law Rick Shrout of Oregon; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kathryn and Gordon Reifschneider of North Platte.; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Toni Shrout.

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