John H. Bancroft

John Hall Bancroft, age 91, of Plano, TX, formerly of Kearney, passed away Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 in Plano, TX. Memorial services will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church with Reverend Stephanie Swinnea officiating. Burial will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2024 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kearney Area Community Foundation https://www.kearneyfoundation.org/donate. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is assisting the family with arrangements. Education: Oak Park, Illinois Public Schools 1938-1946 Kearney High School 1946-1950; University of Colorado 1950-1954; Bachelor of Arts Northwestern University School of Medicine:1954-1958; M.D. Internship: Mary Fletcher Hospital, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. 1958-1959; Surgical Residency: Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL:1959-1963; Master’s Degree in Surgery, University of Illinois: 1961; Diplomat, American Board of Surgery, 1964, Recertified 1980; Fellow American College of Surgeons, 1967; Licensed to practice medicine, Nebraska, Illinois, California. Married Barbara Ann Roos of Negaunee, MI January 5, 1963 in Oak Park, IL. He has two children, Dr. Mary Bancroft Lux of Norfolk, NE and Christopher Bancroft of Plano, TX. He has six grandchildren. Captain, U.S. Army Medical Corps, Bad Kreuznach, Germany; 1963-1965; Private Practice of Surgery, 1965-1995, Kearney, Nebraska; Member of Nebraska Medical Association, AMA; Southwestern Surgical Association; Nebraska Medical Association Committee on Professional Standards Review,1974-77; Chairman 1977. Past President of the following: Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Staff; Buffalo County Medical Society; Kearney Sertoma Club; Kearney Country Club; Member, Red Cross Board of Directors,1969-1972; Red Cross Medical Advisor, 1969-1995; 25 Gallon Blood Donor; Central Nebraska Community College School of Practical Nursing Advisory Board 1980-1986; Member of the Elks National Foundation; Sertoma Life Member; ran the Sertoma Yard of the Month program, 1970- through forever; Member and Chairman Kearney Park and Recreation Advisory Board, 1981-2007; Kearney Trolley Board 2002-2005; Charter Member of the Kearney Area Community Foundation and the Kearney Public Schools Foundation; UNK Institutional Review Committee; 2010 Kearney Area Community Foundation Board 2011; Boy Scout Pack master 1975; Leader and co-founder, Kearney Area Medical Careers Group; Boy Scouts of America 1973-75; St. Lukes Episcopal Church Vestry 1980-82; Sertoman of the Year Award 1985-86; "GRUNDY" Award from the Kearney Tennis Association 1990 for outstanding contributions to tennis; Kearney Public Schools Foundation "Outstanding Alumni" Award for 2001-02. Hobbies: travel, gardening, collecting & sowing wildflower seeds, reading, golf, tennis, skiing, and hunting, planted wildflowers at several friend's homes, plus the north bank of the Ted Baldwin soccer fields, and both the Kearney Country Club and Meadowlark Golf Courses and in spots along the Kearney Hike-Bike Trail. Unfortunately, most of the plantings became overgrown in a few years. John was quite the storyteller. Ask anyone who has waited in line with him. He loved to laugh. He loved to garden - Mary and Chris can attest to the Colorado trips interrupted by the roadside wildflower seed procurement. Sports was a huge part of his life - coaching Chris in little league - affectionately nicknamed 'The Dancing Bear' by the team, due to his largess and constant pacing. Chris will miss his phone calls immediately after an important football scores or plays on ESPN. His stories of college and his youth adventures were never-ending. In his last years, he missed his wife and his hunting, golf and tennis buddies. He always remarked he lived a good life, saw many things with great friends. His life is full of success, accomplishment and memories. We should all be envious of such a full life. Surviving relatives include his daughter, Dr. Mary Lux (David) of Norfolk; son, Christopher Bancroft (Cynthia) of Plano, Texas; stepbrother Al Candy (Lucille) of Lawton, Oklahoma, grandsons, Paul Lux, Raymond Lux (Emma fiancé), Alec Bancroft; granddaughters, Therese Johnson (Jay), Abigail Bancroft. Natasha Lux(Peter); many special friends. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara, brothers, Burt Bancroft , Al and Thomas Candy and grandson Peter.

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John H. Bancroft

April 8, 1933 - April 17, 2024