C.J. "Jack" Gatz

Jack Gatz

C.J. "Jack" Gatz, age 78, of Norfolk, passed away on July 17, 2011, at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk.

Visitation was held on Thursday, July 21, 2011, from 4-7 p.m. with rosary at 7 p.m. at Home for Funerals in Norfolk.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 22, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Norfolk.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk was in charge of arrangements. 

Jack Gatz was born July 31, 1932, in O'Neill to Clinton J. "Boy" Gatz and Marie (McLeod) Gatz. Jack graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in O'Neill in 1950. After starting college at UNL, Jack served in the U.S. Army for three years and finished his undergraduate studies in 1958 at Creighton University. On Jan. 26, 1957, Jack married Katherine "Kay" Riley. Their daughter, Jacqueline, was born while Jack and Kay were living in Omaha and Jack was attending Creighton. Jack graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 1961 and was admited as a lawyer to the Nebraska Bar in 1961.

After law school, Jack and Kay moved to North Platte, where Jack ultimately became a partner in the law firm of Maupin, Dent, Kay, Satterfield & Gatz. Jack began his trial career in North Platte where he enjoyed trying cases in federal and state courts in western Nebraska. In 1970, Jack began his practice of law in northeast Nebraska with the Jewell, Otte & Gatz law firm in Norfolk. Over the years, Jack practiced with and against some of the finest lawyers in Nebraska and had the opportunity to appear before some of the finest judges in the state. Jack enjoyed trying cases and enjoyed the company of lawyers. His trial specialties included almost any type of civil case including automobile, insurance, farm, product liability and construction cases. 

While residing in Norfolk, Jack and Kay were blessed with a second daughter, Bridget. Jack was considered by his peers to be a preeminent jury lawyer and was involved in many cases which changed the law in Nebraska. Many lawyers had the good fortune to be mentored by Jack. Hack was a trusted legal advisor to many and always said that he considered it a compliment to be hired by a client. Jack had no retirement plans as he still loved his work. 

Jack was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish and a devout Catholic. Jack helped found The Link Halfway House in Norfolk and was one of the founding members of the Bar Association's Nebraska Lawyers's Assistance Program. When the Bar Association asked Jack to make contact with a lawyer having difficulty maintaining his or her sobriety, Jack was always available to render assistance. The director of the Lawyer's Assistance Program remembers Jack as a "staunch supporter" of the Program and "someone who could be counted on" to help a lawyer in trouble.

Jack served on the Nebraska Bat Association's Executive Council and was a member and president of the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys. Jack was a Fellow in the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and counted his membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers as one of his most prized accomplishments. 

Jack enjoyed reading, driving for Porsche anywhere in Nebraska and fly-fishing. Jack had a story for nearly every stretch of the road in northeast Nebraska and in the Sand Hills. The opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren was one of the only ways Jack could be lured from his legal practice. 

Jack is survived by his wife, Kay of Norfolk; daughters and sons-in-law, Jacqueline and Mark Fitzgerald, Norfolk, and Bridget and David O'Brien, Norfolk; six grandchildren, Kate Fitzgerald, Grace Fitzgerald, Daniel Fitzgerald, Mary Clare O'Brien, Cecilia O'Brien and John O'Brien; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Elizabeth and John R. Lavigne, Waterloo; and his first cousin whom he loved like a brother, Dr. Ed Gatz and his wife, Jeanne Gatz, Omaha.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents.

The defense rests.