CIMMARON - Ira Leslie Strawn, 91, died Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at his home in Cimarron. He was born on May 25, 1918 at Lewis, the son of James Leslie and Lila May (Jarvis) Strawn.

In 1920, the family made their home south of Cimarron. Ira graduated from Cimarron High School in 1937. After graduation, he worked in the Naval shipyards in Baltimore, Maryland until World War II. He volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps, where he was trained as a pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber. He started farming in 1946 and this continued to be his life long occupation. He was founder of Strawn Farm's Inc. south of Cimarron, following in his grandfather and father's footsteps. Ira married Marjorie P. Doyle on May 22, 1949 in Cimarron. The couple made their home in Gray County on the farm until Marjorie's death on January 15, 1997.

He was a member of Cimarron United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. Ira also served as a 4-H leader for 20 years.

Ira is survived by two sons, David Strawn and wife Toni of Kingston, Georgia and Darrell Strawn of Dodge City; one daughter, Kathleen Norris and husband Chuck of Mayetta; one brother, Richard Strawn and wife Ann of Cimarron; one sister in law, Audrey Strawn of Garden City; six grandchildren, Allison, Garrett, and Dillon Strawn, Brandon Strawn, Syd Ruiz and Brian Ruiz and wife Mary; and two great grandchildren, Jessica and Jerod Ruiz. In addition to his wife Marjorie, Ira was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Strawn.

Funeral service will be held at Cimarron United Methodist Church on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Kent Little presiding. Burial will follow at Cimarron Cemetery in Cimarron. There will be no public visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Cimarron United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, Gray County 4-H Council, or Hospice of the Prairie in care of Swaim Funeral Home, 1901 Sixth Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.