Catalino Vasquez Jr., age 95, of North Platte (Flat Rock), Nebraska, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Great Plains Health.
Catalino was born October 30, 1930, in Garden City, Kansas, to Catalino Sr. and Josephine (Perez) Vasquez. He grew up in Sutherland, NE, attending O’Fallon School until leaving to help on the family farm in 5th grade. Throughout his younger years, Catalino worked a number of odd jobs, including punching cows, working for the rodeo company, and working many years for Charlie and Kenneth White. In September 1963, he began his career at the Nebraska Public Power District. Around this time, Catalino met and fell in love with Nancy Clifton. The two were wed in 1974. He continued to work for NPPD for over 30 years, retiring in the early ‘90s.
Catalino was always a friend of all, never knowing a stranger. He was known as the Candy Man in Sutherland and North Platte Walmart, always keeping Werther’s Originals in his pockets to give away to any children who asked. He was a jack-of-all-trades and an avid outdoorsman. He spent everyday in the summer either camping at Sutherland Lake or tending his garden. He often fell asleep just watching his garden grow. Above all, Catalino was a family man. He went to all the sporting events for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Even though he had to be hauled to his great-grandkids’ rodeos, he was always there to lend his advice and opinion, whether they wanted it or not!
Those left to cherish Catalino’s memory are his children Larry Vasquez, Rodney (Suzie) Vasquez, and Angie Lalanne; grandchildren David (Rachel) Vasquez, Missy (Rob) Broadway, Tonya (Jake) Cantrell, Heather (Garrett) Johnson, Naomi (Brad) Layher, Larry Jr. (Brenda) Vasquez, Courtney (Skeeter) Connell, Dustin Odea, Tyler (Nicole) Odea, Cody (Katelyn) Smith; Austin Vasquez, and Dalton Vasquez; great-grandchildren Alyssia (Ernest) Burton, Saige Johnson, Cooper Layher, Shelby Layher, Tatum Connell, Gavin Connell, Ethan (Katelynn) Vasquez, Jocelyn Vasquez, Kade Odea, Nova Odea, Stryker Smith, Skyler Smith, Izzy Broadway, Tucker Broadway, Bryson Cantrell, Allison Cantrell, and Anna Cantrell; great-great-grandchild Clark Vas-quez; brother Vern Vasquez; and many more family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy, parents Catalino and Josephine, son David, four brothers, three sisters, daughter-in-law Cindy Vasquez, and son-in-law Chuck Lalanne.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., September 12, 2026 at the American Legion in Sutherland. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for future designation. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at adamsswanson.com.
