James Spicer Conant

James Conant, age 67, passed away in Omaha, Neb., on January 27, 2026. He was born November 28, 1958, to the late George and Bonnie (Tritschler) Conant in Chicago, Ill. Jim was a dedicated caretaker for his grandfather, Arnold, and his mother, Bonnie. Although he had a law degree, Jim was most passionate about coaching and teaching tennis, particularly to high school students.

Having been born in Chicago, Jim was a fervent Blackhawk fan as well as rooting for the Cubs. He was a gifted athlete, especially in tennis and baseball. After earning his accounting degree from SMU in Dallas (Sigma Chi fraternity), he went on to earn a law degree from UNL. But he quickly learned the office life was not for him and he expanded the tennis lessons he had been teaching since high school into a full-time job as a tennis pro for many years. He was particularly proud of the tennis students he coached on to making their high school teams. He was truly a renaissance man with many interests, writing an accounting book with his wife, which is how they met and collaborating on a musical “Love at the Café” which played at various locations. Jim traveled the world and was most interested in learning about the local people and staying near them, not a mode of travel others wanted to share. Jim was independent and unnecessarily frugal and great fun.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Appleby; siblings, Lynn (Ken) Conant of Perth, Australia, and Peter Conant of The Ozarks; beloved dog, Henry.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 10 a.m., with a Memorial service at 11 a.m., at Good Shepherd Funeral Home's 90th Street chapel.