John Phillip Polk was surrounded by family and passed in peace when called home to God on May 20, 2025. John was born on September 3, 1954, in Oshkosh, Nebraska to parents Richard and Marjorie (Jensen) Polk.
As a young boy, John was full of energy and adventure. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working summers at his grandfather’s ranch. John was a natural athlete and excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball during his years of school in Oshkosh. He was also an artist and completed many drawings, leatherwork projects, and became skilled in welding and carpentry. While attending Garden County High School (Oshkosh), he met the love of his life, Cynthia (Cindy) Custer. John and Cindy were high school sweethearts and married on May 26, 1973. Following graduation, they moved to North Platte where John attended vocational school and worked full-time to support his family. In the coming years, they grew their family with four children: Jenny, Tracy, Shannon, and Justin.
John always had a passion for cattle and horses and soon transitioned to a career ranching in the Nebraska sandhills. For John, ranching was more than a job, it was a lifestyle. John often mentioned he never felt like ranching was work since that way of life brought him such joy and a sense of fulfillment. Over the years, John transitioned to different ranches throughout the sandhills, where he assumed various positions, including management roles. In the early 90’s John was asked to serve as a member of the Lisco School Board, a position he was proud to hold. He was an avid hunter and often told stories about bird hunting and sitting in the goose blind with family and friends. Over the years, John enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren hunting and fishing, attending their sporting events and activities, and watching Nebraska football. More recently, John began riding cutting horses and competing with the Western Nebraska Cutters Association (WNCA), winning numerous awards. He also held a position on WNCA Board of Directors.
Family and faith were the most important things in John’s life. John dedicated his time working the ranch to provide for his family and instill in his children and grandchildren the value of a strong work ethic, often advising them to “Stay Focused” through life challenges. John was known for being a hard worker, a good neighbor, and having the ability to fix anything! He was kind to his core, fair, and compassionate, and his integrity and morals were unmatched. John had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, brave, and above all, John saw the positive side of life. He brought humor and positivity to every situation up until God decided it was time for him to rest. John believed, “God has a plan, and it’s a perfect plan.” When his time came, John carried himself with dignity, strength, and was full of love for those he was leaving behind. He will be missed dearly.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brother James (Jim) Polk, sister-in-law Patricia (Pattie) Polk; and brother-in-law Lynn McNeel. John is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Cindy; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Nancy Polk; sister Marilyn McNeel; brother and sister-in-law Paul and Lucille Polk; brother and sister-in-law Doug and Janice Polk; brother and sister-in-law Dan and Deb Polk; many nieces and nephews; daughter Jenny Polk (grandson Tage), daughter Tracy Polk (grandchildren: Ellisa, Garrett, Gunner, and Avery); daughter Shannon Polk (grandchildren: Gabriel, Abigail, and Jacob); and son Justin Polk (wife Sarah and grandchildren: Chaelin, Zander, and Brexton).
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Regional West Hospital in Scottsbluff, Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, and Home Health and Hospice in Chadron for their compassion, kindness, and exceptional care these past two months.
Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance. Lunch will follow services at the church. Burial is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Lisco Cemetery.
Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home, Scottsbluff, is in charge of arrangements.