[Nebraska-Students] Jim Omvig obituary and service information

[Jamie Richey]

For your information. 
From: Tall-Corn <tall-corn-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Van Gorp via Tall-Corn
> Sent: Friday, June 17, 2022 5:50 AM
> To: NFBI Listserv <tall-corn at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Scott Van Gorp <svangorp at nfbi.org>
> Subject: [Tall-Corn] Jim Omvig obituary and service information
>  
> Good Morning Federation Family:
> I have been asked to repost Jim Omvig’s obituary and service information. Please note there will also be a streaming option for those unable to attend in person. Thanks!
>  
> James Omvig Obituary
>  
>  
>  
> James (Jim) Harlan Omvig of Altoona, Iowa, was born on February 12, 1935 in Roland, Iowa, to Herma and Jens Omvig and was raised in Slater, Iowa.  Jim graduated from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, Iowa and later attended the training center at the Iowa Commission for the Blind, Drake University and completed his higher education at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, from which he holds a Juris Doctor degree.
>  
> Jim worked in the legal profession for a number of years (being the first blind attorney hired by the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C.) then moved to his passion — working with and for the blind community.  He worked first as the Director of the Training and Orientation Center at the Iowa Commission for the Blind.  Later he held positions at Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore and as Director of the Alaska Training Center for the Blind.  He also authored three books related to blindness training and rehabilitation and was appointed to a committee position by President Bush.  
>  
> Jim devoted his life and talents to fighting on behalf of the blind for civil rights, training and equality.  As a leader in the National Federation of the Blind, he was instrumental in improving the lives of blind people throughout the country by effecting legal and policy changes and more importantly by inspiring and training blind children and adults to be independent, contributing equals in our society.
>  
> Jim was always a pleasure to be with. His cheerful, positive attitude and personality was evident in his work and personal life and anyone who knew him can attest to it!  In his work he taught it is “OK to be blind.”  In his personal life he inspired and warmed his family and friends with his love and kindness. His adored and loving wife Sharon was by his side for 48 years of adventures, and they accomplished so much together.  He was a very talented musician —played piano, trombone and loved to sing.  He funded his law school costs in part by playing and singing in local supper clubs.  He also wrote several songs — devotions of love to his wife, primarily.
>  
> He loved to train dogs and had a passion for old cars — he was particularly fond of his 1968 Ford XL convertible. His love of music was constant and very traditional.  The Big Band era was his favorite, and Frank Sinatra was always a staple. There was rarely a phone call he didn’t take or a message he didn’t return.  His family, friends and colleagues were the recipients of his kindness and generosity throughout his life.  
>  
> Jim passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Clayton and Peter.  He is survived by his wife Sharon, son James II and his wife Jamie, sister Janet Gawith, granddaughter Brittany Nichols (Dan) and great grandsons Seth and Alexander Nichols.
>  
> Memorial contributions can be made to the National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD  21230.
>  
> Visitation will be held at 10 am with a Celebration of Life at 11 am on June 24 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, with a luncheon following. 
>  
> The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed at http://hopeonline.tv/specialevents
>  
>  
>  
> Scott Van Gorp, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
> Phone: 515-720-5282
> Email
> Website 
> Facebook 
> Twitter 
> Live the life you want.
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
>  
> <Untitled attachment 00060.txt>
> _______________________________________________
> State-Affiliate-Leadership-List mailing list
> State-Affiliate-Leadership-List at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/state-affiliate-leadership-list_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for State-Affiliate-Leadership-List:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/state-affiliate-leadership-list_nfbnet.org/jamie.richey16%40gmail.com