John "Jack" Charles Bogatz of LaVista NE peacefully, yet unexpectedly, took his last breath on October 22, 2025 at 93 years 4 months and 11 days. Jack was born to John and Lillian (Paulson) Bogatz on June 11, 1932 in Omaha, Nebraska. Jack, or "Johnny" as he was affectionately known as a young boy, was the firstborn, and was named with pride after his father and grandfather. Jack's journey on this earth was not simple. He attended 7 schools in 8 years, then due to family issues he had to quit school in the 8th grade and help his Grandpa Paulson on the farm. At the age of 15 he went to work, under contract, to Omer Hall for room and board, working with racehorses. Jack was a scrappy young man at 15 he was only 4' 9" tall and weighed in at a meager 95 lbs. Jack's employment with Omer had him riding horseback for supplies to the general store in Wann NE where he grew quite fond of the area. Jack also had occasion to meet his best lifetime friend Lester Kush who also worked in the horse industry. In 1950, at the age of 18, Jack tragically lost his youngest brother Gary in a car accident. Feeling empty, he joined the Navy and traveled to multiple countries. His brother Vernon "Bud" Bogatz knew that his best friend's sister had pen pals all over the U.S. and he asked if she might be willing to write to his brother Jack. The unknown "romance" began through long letters. Jack served 4 years during the Korean conflict and was discharged in 1954. He married the sweet, letter writing, red haired, blue eyed, love of his life, Shirley Lenz in 1955 and they resided in Omaha. From their union 6 children were born. In 1969 they had the opportunity to purchase a real "fixer-upper"; the general store where he rode to on horseback so many times in his teens in the little Village of Wann. Jack worked multiple jobs to support his family: meat processing, salesman, auctioneer, roofer, welder, Legion manager, Judo instructor, and mowing. He even joined the Seabee Navy reserves. John truly was a "jack of all trades". Jack and Shirley retired to Fairfield Bay, AR in 1997, then in 2008 he returned to Nebraska "alone" to be closer to family. Jack enjoyed square dancing, BBQ, billiards, bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, cooking, archery, motorcycle riding, music, playing his Dulcimer, and "collecting stuff". Jack was a 4th degree Knight and was steadfast in his Catholic faith all the years of his life. He leaves a huge legacy from his days on this earth. He is survived by 5 of his 6 children, his son Gary preceded him in death in 1984, and his beautiful wife of 52 years, Shirley in 2008. Left to cherish his memory is Betty Barnes (widow of Gary) Sherri (Randy) Helman, of Brainard, Terri (Tom) Melody, of Blair, Larry (Diana) Bogatz, of Colorado, Jerry (Linda) Bogatz, of Valley, and Mari (Jim) Haney, of California; half-brother Jim (Gail) Bogatz, of Lincoln, and half-sister Judy (Jim) Tomanek, of Waterloo; brothers-in-law Ed Lenz, of Bellevue and Art (Joyce) Lenz, of Alabama; 17 grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; and multiple nieces, nephews and friends.