Make checks to: Jarad Robinson Memorial Fund

Cornerstone Bank, 102 West Sapp St, PO Box 208, Wilcox NE 68982

WILCOX, NE — This cross memorial honoring Jarad Robinson sits just over a mile west of Wilcox in south central Nebraska. 

It’s displayed on the property where Robinson worked as a farmer and rancher until his tragic death in a farm accident two weeks ago. Inscribed on the cross is the title of Paul Harvey’s immortal speech "So God Made a Farmer." A speech the Robinson family says was the perfect description of their lost loved one. 

“Word for word that is my brother,” Cody Robinson said. “He looked like a rough and tough cowboy on the outside, but he really did have a heart of gold. He never met a stranger,  loved to talk to people, loved to help people.”

Jarad’s brother Cody says they don't know exactly what happened on the night of July 16th. Jarad was electrocuted while working on a pivot. He died that night at a Kearney hospital.

Losing him was a stunning blow to his wife, three sons, and entire family.

“He was bulletproof to me, you know, he was my big brother," Cody said. "You never thought it was going to happen to you, you never thought it was going to happen, especially Jarad. Just trying to process that is extremely hard.”

It didn’t take long for the community to rally around the Robinsons. They lined up his farm equipment along the route of the funeral procession and started a memorial fund at Cornerstone Bank.

“The people were thinking of us. They were thinking of Jared," Cody said. "We are honoring Jarad and really letting the rest of the world know that didn’t know him, how great a man he really was.”

The latest effort is a memorial fundraiser on Friday at the Wilcox-Hildreth high school gym. The event starts at 5:00, features a barbecue, silent auction and a live auction at 7:30. All proceeds will go to Jarad’s family. Organizers expect well over 1,000 people to show up in the town of fewer than 400.

“There’s no place I’d rather be," Cody said. "The support from not only Wilcox, but Kearney County, Phelps County, Jarad knew people all around the area. Those people are helping and supporting people and that’s what’s getting us through it.”

The cross itself is a sign of community support. It was built as a surprise to the family by Jarad’s longtime boss. The family isn’t sure if the memorial will stay at this spot permanently, but they do know it will remain a tribute to a true Nebraska farmer.