Alumnus Jim Young passes away after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer

University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee and University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumnus passed away Feb. 15. He was 61.

University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee and University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumnus James R. Young passed away Feb. 15, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 61.

Young had served as president, chairman and chief executive officer of Union Pacific

A native and lifetime resident of Omaha Young was described by many as a tremendous leader at Union Pacific, in the railroad industry and in the Omaha community. He was a member and past chairman of the board for the Association of American Railroads, Joslyn Art Museum and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. He also was a member of the boards of Creighton University Board and The Nebraska Medical Center.

Young served on the University of Nebraska Foundation’s current Campaign for Nebraska Executive Committee and specifically as chair of the UNO Campaign. Young, along with his wife Shirley, also served as hosts of the UNO Centennial in 2008. In 2012, they were honorary chairs of the Ambassador of Hope Gala that benefits the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

In 2012 the NU Foundation honored Young with its top volunteer award, the Perry W. Branch Award for Volunteer Service.

“On behalf of the University of Nebraska Foundation I offer our sincerest condolences to Shirley and the Young family,” said Brian Hastings. president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Jim played a critical role in leading UNO toward unprecedented success in the Campaign for Nebraska. His hard work, leadership, integrity and love of the University of Nebraska and the Omaha community inspired and influenced countless individuals.”

The Youngs were steadfast supporters of UNO and its significance in the community. Among many gifts, they established the Jim and Shirley Young Scholarship to assist low-income students in 2011. UNO students, Young stated during his remarks at the UNO Centennial Gala, “represent what is great about America; where hard work and education allow individuals to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.”

“Jim Young also represented what is great about America,” said Hastings. “His investment in others will be a lasting legacy for an extraordinary man.”

The Young family requests memorial gifts be directed to the Jim Young Pancreatic Cancer Research Memorial Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation. To support this fund make a gift online or for more information contact the foundation’s Tom Thompson at 402-502-4116 or tthompson@nufoundation.org.

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