COBLE, JIM AND LAVERNA (WALKER)
I, Jim Coble was born in Hyannis, Nebras-ka September 17, 1942 to Harry and Doris Coble. I grew up on my parents ranch along with my older brother Gary. I attended a country school, located nearby, where I received my elementary education. I attend-ed High School for approximately 2 1/2 years at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture located at Curtis, Nebraska. I completed the remainder of my High School education at Mullen, Nebraska. After gra-duation, I went to work for my father.
In the spring of 1961, LaVerna Walker and I were united in marriage, the daughter of Dr. Earl and Helen Walker. I continued to work for my father until 1967 when we entered into a partnership arrangement, which in time was changed to a lease agreement.
In 1970, after visiting with Bob Childers who was my neighbor, I became enthused with the idea of raising hogs. I presented the idea to Norb Schenck who had experience with raising hogs and he was very interested. We sold the idea to John Pearson, Bob Coble and Paul Coble, who joined us in raising enough funds to buy hog equipment, etc., to begin what was to be called Hooker County Feeders.
In approximately 1970, I purchased a string of bucking horses from Skeet McKillip. I hired Stan McKillip to help me and along with his family and mine we put together a Rodeo String called the S & J. In time I sold a 1/2 interest to Stan and a while later I sold the other 1/2.
In 1974, I entered into a partnership agreement with Gailund Valentine on the ranch, for a couple of years. During this time I worked some for the Village of Mullen, also for Hooker County Feeders. In 1974 we purchased the Liquor and Drive Inn which my wife and I operated for a couple of years before selling it to Paul and Kathy Hassett. LaVerna and I at this time came back to the ranch. Our son, Bill and our daughter, Lisa were attending school in Mullen. They helped us on weekends, holidays, and sum-mer vacation with chores at the ranch.
In the late seventies we sold modular homes for about a year and half. We pur-chased one for ourselves which we erected in Mullen where we continued to live off and one while our son and daughter completed High School.
Our son, Bill went to Kearney State College for four years. Upon graduation he worked as a trainee in the grocery field for about a year, he then went to work for Ford Motor Company where he is presently employed as a field representative.
Our daughter, Lisa attended the Queen Ann Beauty College in Kearney, Nebraska and upon graduation she held a couple of jobs at different Salons until she opened her own Salon in Mullen. It is in the building where her Great-Grandfather once practiced Medi-cine.
In the spring of 1987, we purchased a ranch that belonged to Doug and Alice Phipps but at one time was a part of a ranch belonging to my Uncle George Marshall. We hope to continue ranching and always interested in any interesting ventures that will avail themselves in the future.