| James “Jim” Park Paige |

James “Jim” Park Paige was born on January 27, 1938, in Loup City, to Alonzo Paige and Hazel (Thomazin) Paige.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lois Paige. Jim devoted his life to education, athletics, service, and family. He began his career in Palmer, as a high school mathematics teacher and coach for football, basketball, and track. He later taught and coached in Cozad, while continuing his own education.

Jim earned a bachelor’s of science degree in math education from Hastings College, a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Michigan. In 1968, Jim moved to Wayne, where he joined Wayne State College as a professor of mathematics, a position he held for thirty-six years until his retirement in 2004. From 1975 until 2004, he also served as Wayne State’s Athletic Faculty Representative, playing a vital role in Wildcat athletics. Even after retirement, Jim remained actively involved, serving as a track official for numerous Wayne State home track and field events.

Jim’s influence extended far beyond the college campus. He spent more than fifty years officiating Nebraska high school athletic events in football, basketball, track, and cross country. Known as quiet, unassuming, and hard-working, Jim was widely respected for his fairness, professionalism, and deep respect for athletes and coaches. He officiated multiple state football championships and state basketball tournaments and served for more than thirty years as a triple jump official at the Nebraska State Track Meet. In addition, Jim mentored dozens of young officials and served as an observer and evaluator for the Nebraska School Activities Association.

Jim’s leadership and service earned him numerous honors. He served as president of the NAIA Faculty Athletic Representatives in 1988 and was a member of the NAIA national board. He also served on the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors. In 2000, he received the Distinguished Contributor of the Year Award from the National Federation of High School Associations, followed by the Nebraska School Activities Association Distinguished Service Award in 2002. In 2011, Jim received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Northeast Nebraska Track and Field Classic in Norfolk. He was inducted into the Wayne State College Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2012.

Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, Jim found joy in the outdoors. He especially loved hunting and fishing. One of his proudest personal accomplishments came at age eighty-six, when he achieved his second hole-in-one at Wayne Country Club.

Jim was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wayne, where he served as a deacon, elder, and confirmation mentor. He was also active in the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Temple, Team-Mates Mentoring, and numerous athletic organizations throughout the state.

On December 23, 1962, Jim married Sharyn (West) Paige in Grand Island. Together, they built a life centered on faith, service, and family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sharyn Paige of Wayne; two daughters, Penny (Chris) Craige of Gibsonville, North Carolina, and Holly (Michael) Herzberg of Aurora; four grandchildren, Evan (Liv) Craige of Augusta, Georgia, Isabel Craige of Greensboro, North Carolina, Jayden (Lauren) Herzberg of Lincoln, and Jameson Herzberg of Lincoln; and one great-granddaughter, Riley Paige Herzberg of Lincoln.

Jim is also survived by his brothers, Butch (Anita) Paige of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Alan (Sandy) Paige of Aiken, South Carolina.

Honorary pallbearers include Evan Craige, Jayden Herzberg, Jameson Herzberg, Kirk Paige, Park Paige, Stephen Paige, Rocky Lopez, Austin Fernau, and Carter Fernau. Jim Paige will be remembered for his integrity, humility, dedication to education and athletics, his love of the outdoors, and the lasting impact he made on countless students, officials, athletes, and colleagues across Nebraska and beyond.