Myron Lee Nicholson, 81, died Friday, April 16, 2010 at his homestead south of Dodge City. He was born on September 24, 1928 at the Hartnett family home in Stafford County, Kansas, the son of Carl John and Lois L. (Hartnett) Nicholson.

Myron was a Christian, farmer and rancher. He was proud of the fact that he lived his whole life in the same rural community, Concord Township, south of Dodge City. He went to South Hope Well country school, graduated from Dodge City High School and Dodge City Community College. Myron served in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic in the motor vehicle division and was stationed at Ashiya Air Base in Kyushu Japan where he met and married Nobuko S. Sakaguchi on March 26, 1956. She preceded him in death on March 12, 1986. Myron later married Kay Goodman in Dodge City.

He was a lifelong active member of First Missionary Church of Dodge City, and was active in numerous organizations including the District#3 Ground Water Management Board, Ford County 4-H Fair Board and Extension Council, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Livestock Association, the Minneola Booster Club and many others. He and his wife were presented the Ford County Extension Council Appreciation Award in 1984 for their contributions to Extension and the community and in 1985 were honored with the Ford County 4-H Salute Award for their leadership in 4-H programs. Myron deeply believed in careful stewardship of the land and received awards for soil conservation work and was instrumental in helping develop the farming component of the Dodge City Waste Water Recycling project.

Myron is survived by his wife, Kay Nicholson; son, Charles Nicholson and wife Shawn; daughter, DeKeta Schuckman and husband Mark all of Dodge City; sister, Laverne Pitzer of Long Beach, Calif.; brother, James Nicholson and wife Iris of Kinston, N.C.; sister, Caren Stadig of Dodge City; stepdaughters, Kim McGee and husband Kevin, and Kamy Cunningham and husband Kevin all of Oro Valley, Ariz.; stepson, Cody Bergkamp and wife Nancy of Phoenix, Ariz.; and grandchildren, Kamy and Jeremiah Nicholson, Justin Racette, Amber and Colton Cunningham, Chelsea McGee, Cody and Devin Bergkamp.

Funeral service will be held at First Missionary Church in Dodge City on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Jeff Turner presiding & Rev Jim Hossler. A time of fellowship will be held immediately following the service in the multi-purpose room at the church and all are invited. Private family burial will take place on a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Memorials can be made to First Missionary Church or Ford County 4-H Foundation in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.