Dr. Donald Reh Nicholson, 85, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his Savior, July 24, 2013. Don was born on his Grandfather Reh's farm at Bennington, Kan., to Raymond Arthur and Olive Reh Nicholson.
After moving several times the family settled in Graham County on the J.R. Nicholson homestead. Don attended Grade school with his brother, Larry Dee, riding horseback, and graduated from Moreland High School in 1945. Don attended Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences for two semesters and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving two years. Upon honorable discharge Don returned to Kansas and graduated in 1953 from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine with a B.S. and D.V.M. degrees.

On Sept. 1, 1949, Don married Patricia Strohm in Manhattan, Kan. Upon graduation, Don and Patricia moved to Wisconsin, where Don established a private dairy practice. Don and Patricia were blessed with the births of Larry André, Donna Jean and Anita Lee. After approximately twelve years in private practice, Don and Patricia returned to Kansas, where Don went to work for USDA Veterinary Services in Northwest Kansas as district VMO. Don was also Hog Cholera Diagnostician and Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician for Kansas. In this capacity, Don traveled several times as the American Observer to the Canadian European cattle quarantine on the French Lies of St. Pierre at Miquelon. In 1970, Don invented and built a cattle dehorner, establishing Hurricane Dehorner Company. This dehorner was marketed exclusively to veterinarians. In 1979, in Brazil, Don tested the first cattle to be imported into the US from a foot and mouth infected country since 1930.

In 1981, Don married Wanda I. Carter, who had four children from a previous marriage: Michael, Rick, Ronnie and Angela, whom he was proud to add to his family. Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia Nicholson; and brother, Larry. Don is survived by his wife, Wanda Carter; his children, Larry (Sharon) Nicholson of Hanover, Kan., Donna (Terry) Albrecht of Wichita, Kan., and Anita (Rob) Reeve of La Salle, Colo.; four step-children; nine grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; six great-step-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Sandy) Nicholson of Hays, Kan.; nephew, Shawn (Lisa) Nicholson of San Diego, Calif.; and many cousins. Don believed that all of his grandchildren (including the steps) were the smartest, best-looking group in all the world, who as toddlers seemed much smarter and loads funnier than their parents.

In keeping with Don's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will be held at a later date in Anderson Cemetery, Graham County, Kan. Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson, is in charge of arrangements.